12:36pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008
AN elderly Bromsgrove woman died after her husband accidentally reversed over her, an inquest heard.
Seventy-eight-year-old Margaret Butterton suffered a black-out while waiting for husband Ronald to reverse their car off the drive of their Hazelton Close home, Malbrook, at 9.30am on April 18.
Unable to see her lying on the ground at the end of the driveway, which slopes upwards from the house to the street above, Mr Butterton ran over his wife, causing fatal injuries.
Deputy Coroner for Worcestershire, Margaret Barnard, heard from a neighbour and read a number of witness statements at an inquest into Mrs Butterton's death, which was held at Worcestershire Coroners Court on Friday).
In a police statement read at the inquest, husband Ronald Butterton said: "The last time I saw my wife alive she was moving to the top of the drive to wait. I put the car in reverse and did not see Margaret. This was not unusual because she sees people and talks to them.
"I reversed back with no problems. As I got to the peak of the drive I felt resistance and got out and was devastated to see her under the car."
Neighbour for 50 years, Mr Michael Lunn, told the court how he shouted in vain from his house window, which overlooks the street, for Mr Butterton to stop the car.
He said: "I got out of the shower and opened the curtains. As I looked out of the window I saw Margaret lying on the ground at the top of the slope. I saw Ron in the car starting to back up.
"I shouted for him to stop but he could not hear me over the traffic."
Sgt John Roberts, from West Mercia Constabulary's collision investigation unit, said he got in the car and checked the visibility at different points from the house.
"I am satisfied that Mr Butterton would not have seen Mrs Butterton as he reversed," he said.
Mrs Butterton's brief medical history revealed she suffered a similar blackout in March 2007. A post mortem examination revealed her death was due to multiple injuries, including injuries to her spinal column, head and ribs.
Concluding the inquest, deputy coroner for Worcestershire, Margaret Barnard, said: "After hearing the evidence I find Margaret Butterton died as a result of an accident."
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