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Addict died after car wheel grab | Addict died after car wheel grab |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A heroin addict died after he jerked the steering wheel from his wife's control because she would not drive him to buy drugs, an inquest has heard. | A heroin addict died after he jerked the steering wheel from his wife's control because she would not drive him to buy drugs, an inquest has heard. |
David Grindley, 27, from Higher Kinnerton, Flintshire, was due to start a university course to become a drugs counsellor, Flint Coroners Court heard. | David Grindley, 27, from Higher Kinnerton, Flintshire, was due to start a university course to become a drugs counsellor, Flint Coroners Court heard. |
On the day he died, he had not taken drugs for two days and was frustrated when his wife, then 39 weeks pregnant, refused to drive him to get drugs. | On the day he died, he had not taken drugs for two days and was frustrated when his wife, then 39 weeks pregnant, refused to drive him to get drugs. |
His death was recorded as accidental. | His death was recorded as accidental. |
The inquest heard how Mr Grindley had a private school education and was introduced to drugs by a former girlfriend. | The inquest heard how Mr Grindley had a private school education and was introduced to drugs by a former girlfriend. |
He started with cannabis at the age of 17 before progressing to ecstasy and then heroin. | He started with cannabis at the age of 17 before progressing to ecstasy and then heroin. |
But his mother Valerie Auckland said he started to turn his life around in 2006 when he met his wife Carla. | But his mother Valerie Auckland said he started to turn his life around in 2006 when he met his wife Carla. |
The pair, who married in May 2007, travelled to Australia together where he received implants to help fight his drug addiction. | The pair, who married in May 2007, travelled to Australia together where he received implants to help fight his drug addiction. |
His mother told how her son applied for a universty course in Wrexham and wanted to become a drugs counsellor to "give something back". | His mother told how her son applied for a universty course in Wrexham and wanted to become a drugs counsellor to "give something back". |
Scan picture | Scan picture |
On 11 September 2007 she said he had been happy and had been singing songs. | On 11 September 2007 she said he had been happy and had been singing songs. |
Mrs Auckland said: "He was in a very very good mood and looking forward to going to university." | Mrs Auckland said: "He was in a very very good mood and looking forward to going to university." |
She also told how he carried a pricture of his unborn baby's scan in his wallet and was looking forward to becoming a father. | She also told how he carried a pricture of his unborn baby's scan in his wallet and was looking forward to becoming a father. |
Later, when his wife Carla returned home from work she drove him to a nearby shop where they withdrew cash. | Later, when his wife Carla returned home from work she drove him to a nearby shop where they withdrew cash. |
The court heard how in evidence Mrs Grindley said: "As soon as he had the money that's when he wanted to go and score." | The court heard how in evidence Mrs Grindley said: "As soon as he had the money that's when he wanted to go and score." |
She said her husband had been clean for two days and she was reluctant to allow him to buy drugs. | She said her husband had been clean for two days and she was reluctant to allow him to buy drugs. |
Injuries | Injuries |
But Mr Grindley became "agitated" and told her to turn the car around. | But Mr Grindley became "agitated" and told her to turn the car around. |
The coroner heard how he jerked the steering wheel causing her to lose control of the car on the A55 near DobsHill in Flintshire. | |
The car overturned ending up on its roof. | The car overturned ending up on its roof. |
Mr Grindley, who was not wearing a seat belt was thrown from the car and suffered severe multiple injuries including swelling of the brain and died in hospital in Chester nine days later. | Mr Grindley, who was not wearing a seat belt was thrown from the car and suffered severe multiple injuries including swelling of the brain and died in hospital in Chester nine days later. |
Mrs Grindley was found hanging upside down from her seat-belt and was freed by a doctor who witnessed the accident. | Mrs Grindley was found hanging upside down from her seat-belt and was freed by a doctor who witnessed the accident. |
The court heard she had since given birth to a baby girl who was the "spitting image of her father". | The court heard she had since given birth to a baby girl who was the "spitting image of her father". |
Recording a verdict of accidental death, North East Wales Coroner John Hughes told Mr Grindley's family: "I want you to understand the heaviness in my heart in having to adjudicate a case of this type." | Recording a verdict of accidental death, North East Wales Coroner John Hughes told Mr Grindley's family: "I want you to understand the heaviness in my heart in having to adjudicate a case of this type." |
He said Mrs Grindley had "bravely" refused to take him to buy drugs. | He said Mrs Grindley had "bravely" refused to take him to buy drugs. |
He added: "Her husband totally unexpectedly and without warning grabbed the wheel of the car and jerked it to the left. Mrs Grindley had no real opportunity of rescuing the position. | He added: "Her husband totally unexpectedly and without warning grabbed the wheel of the car and jerked it to the left. Mrs Grindley had no real opportunity of rescuing the position. |
"That position was made worse because Mr Grindley wasn't wearing a seat belt. If he had been, there's no doubt at all he would have survived." | "That position was made worse because Mr Grindley wasn't wearing a seat belt. If he had been, there's no doubt at all he would have survived." |
The coroner said Mr Grindley was a young man who had grappled "manfully" with heroin addiction and his death was a tragic loss. | The coroner said Mr Grindley was a young man who had grappled "manfully" with heroin addiction and his death was a tragic loss. |
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