Driver overtaking 6 cars - inquest hears

A Welshpool driver may have been attempting to overtake up to six vehicles when he died in a head-on smash near Arddleen an inquest has been told.

Patrick Vincent Flaherty, 77, of Golfa Close, Welshpool died at the scene of the crash on the A483 at around 4-30pm on August 17, 2019 when his Ford Fusion was in collision with a Vauxhall Astra and a Morrisons lorry.

Wales on Line reports that Pontypridd Coroner David Regan today recorded a verdict that Mr Flaherty died as the result of a road traffic collision when he “attempted to overtake a number of vehicles – probably six.”

At the hearing witnesses described seeing Mr Flaherty trying to overtake other vehicles before the crash took place. Mr Flaherty subsequently collided with a black Vauxhall Astra driven by Billy Smith and carrying three other passengers.

Statements were provided by various witnesses who described how the blue car attempted to overtake traffic and was on the wrong side of the road before the crash took place.

Dyfed Powys Police provided the coroner with a report which explained the speed limit on the road is 60mph for cars and 50mph for lorries and HGVs. It was estimated Mr Flaherty was likely to have been driving at 66mph when he collided with the Astra.

The report from officers read: “It is likely that Mr Flaherty overtaking was a key factor of this collision.”

A pathology report suggested the most likely cause of death was due to Mr Flaherty sustaining a severe chest injury. The coroner accepted this when making his conclusion.

Summing up, Mr Regan said Mr Flaherty “attempted to overtake a number of vehicles – probably six” at the time the crash happened.

He recorded he died as a result of a road traffic collision.