http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/2007/11/17/38c7ebc4-3a19-47ab-
851e-c005effd1a3b.lpf
A LORRY driver involved in a fatal collision with a cyclist was using a
handsfree mobile phone at the time of the crash, an inquest has heard.
Librarian Mary Scott died from terrible injuries when her bicycle was
struck by the lorry, sending her falling under the wheels.
The 60-year-old, a library supervisor in Histon since 1996, was cycling
near the Rose and Crown pub in the village when the crash happened.
During the inquest, held at Shire Hall in Cambridge, a statement from
Colin
Smith was read. Mr Smith, from Cottenham, was cycling just ahead of the
crash scene.
He said: "I heard a loud bang and a thump behind me. A woman was
screaming
and when I turned around, I saw her being dragged along by the lorry.
I waved at him to stop. I was shocked by what had happened, the woman
had
very bad injuries."
The driver was 54-year-old Robert Field, of Methwold in Norfolk, who was
behind the wheel of a Scania lorry.
Pc Peter Bimson, collision investigator, told the inquest Mr Field was
taking a call on his hands-free mobile phone when the collision took
place.
Pc Bimson said: "Mr Field failed to see the cyclist. The front, near
side
of the vehicle collided with the handlebars. As a result of the
collision,
the cyclist fell under the wheels.
"It seems Mr Field's use of the hands-free mobile phone may have been a
contributory factor in this collision."
Mary Scott, of Bishop Way, Impington, died on June 12 this year at the
Glebe Road and Impington Road crossroads.
A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be serious,
multiple injuries.
Dr Samuel Bass, deputy coroner, said she would have died "almost
instantly". He returned a verdict of accidental death.
A statement from the family, issued shortly after the crash, said: "Mary
was a wonderful mother and granny. She is dearly missed by her two
daughters, four grandchildren and everyone who knew her.
"She lived life to the full and was well known in and around the Histon
area.
"She had many friends from her work in the libraries in the Cambridge
area
and her work in Addenbrooke's Hospital, where she helped out in the
children's wards."
17 November 2007
--
Tony
"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has
taken place"
George Bernard Shaw