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M4 crash driver had heart defect M4 crash driver had heart defect
(10 minutes later)
A lorry driver who died after ploughing through the central barrier of the M4 had probably collapsed because of a heart defect, an inquest has heard.A lorry driver who died after ploughing through the central barrier of the M4 had probably collapsed because of a heart defect, an inquest has heard.
It led to the closure of the motorway near Newport for 11 hours causing severe traffic delays for miles around.It led to the closure of the motorway near Newport for 11 hours causing severe traffic delays for miles around.
Colin Hart from Portsmouth had had no idea about his heart condition before the crash in August, the inquest heard.Colin Hart from Portsmouth had had no idea about his heart condition before the crash in August, the inquest heard.
A post-mortem examination revealed a hole in his heart. The coroner recorded an accidental death verdict.A post-mortem examination revealed a hole in his heart. The coroner recorded an accidental death verdict.
The inquest at Newport heard how grandfather-of-five Mr Hart, 55, had been making deliveries to Cardiff when he collapsed at the wheel, crashing through the central barrier and overturning his lorry.The inquest at Newport heard how grandfather-of-five Mr Hart, 55, had been making deliveries to Cardiff when he collapsed at the wheel, crashing through the central barrier and overturning his lorry.
A post-mortem examination showed he had been suffering from a congenital heart defect which caused his heart to beat erratically and which probably brought on his collapse.A post-mortem examination showed he had been suffering from a congenital heart defect which caused his heart to beat erratically and which probably brought on his collapse.
The crash brought long delays for thousands of motorists after the motorway was shut in both directions between J28 (Tredegar Park) and J24 (Coldra).The crash brought long delays for thousands of motorists after the motorway was shut in both directions between J28 (Tredegar Park) and J24 (Coldra).
At its worst, there were 10-mile tailbacks in the morning rush hour. At its worst, there were 10-mile tailbacks in the morning peak.
In a statement another lorry driver, David John Bowen, told the hearing how he had been following Mr Hart's lorry from the Coldra roundabout near Newport. Another lorry driver David John Bowen, gave a statement to the hearing which described how Mr Hart overtook him and forced him into the hard shoulder because he was so close.
He said he noticed Mr Hart's overtaking him and said he had been forced over into the hard shoulder because Mr Hart's lorry was so close to his.
The central reservation had to be repaired after the crashThe central reservation had to be repaired after the crash
He described how he noticed Mr Hart's vehicle was drifting over the white lines as he followed him. He described how he then noticed Mr Hart's vehicle drifting over the white lines in front of him.
As the road approached a bend, Mr Bowen said: "He kept travelling straight even though the road was bending. Mr Bowen said: "He kept travelling straight even though the road was bending.
"The front hit the intersection and then it turned over blocking three lanes.""The front hit the intersection and then it turned over blocking three lanes."
Mr Bowen said that he and other drivers on the road stopped to try and help Mr Hart. Pc Keith Rich, who investigated, said 126m of crash barrier were destroyed and four street lights had been taken out by the lorry.
Pc Keith Rich, who investigated the crash, said the front of the lorry has ended up in the west bound carriageway as the back lay across two lanes in the east bound road. Asked by the coroner if there was any evidence of Mr Hart taking any evasive action, the officer replied: "Marks showed the brakes were not applied and no action had been taken before hitting the crash barrier."
He said 126m of crash barrier were destroyed and four street lights had been taken out by the lorry.
Asked by the coroner if there was any evidence of Mr Hart taking any evasive action prior to the crash, the officer replied: "Marks showed the brakes were not applied and no action had been taken before hitting the crash barrier."
Tachograph readings in the lorry revealed the crash had happened at 0155 BST and the lorry had been travelling at 57 mph at the time of the crash.Tachograph readings in the lorry revealed the crash had happened at 0155 BST and the lorry had been travelling at 57 mph at the time of the crash.
The officer said he had viewed graphic CCTV footage of the collision and said that it suggested Mr Hart had not been in perfect control of the lorry for some time before the impact.The officer said he had viewed graphic CCTV footage of the collision and said that it suggested Mr Hart had not been in perfect control of the lorry for some time before the impact.
The delays caused traffic problems across the regionThe delays caused traffic problems across the region
The coroner was told that despite receiving treatment for a circulatory problem in his legs, Mr Hart had not been aware of any heart condition he had.The coroner was told that despite receiving treatment for a circulatory problem in his legs, Mr Hart had not been aware of any heart condition he had.
The post mortem examination however, revealed that he had suffered from a congenital heart condition which carried a significant risk of erratic heart beat and which probably caused him to collapse without warning at the wheel of his HGV lorry.The post mortem examination however, revealed that he had suffered from a congenital heart condition which carried a significant risk of erratic heart beat and which probably caused him to collapse without warning at the wheel of his HGV lorry.
Cause of death was given a multiple fatal injuries.Cause of death was given a multiple fatal injuries.
Following the hearing, Mr Hart's family described him as their "gentle giant" who would do anything for anyone.Following the hearing, Mr Hart's family described him as their "gentle giant" who would do anything for anyone.
His wife Ellen said: "We all loved him very much, he had become a grandfather the night he left and was about to give his daughter away at her wedding.His wife Ellen said: "We all loved him very much, he had become a grandfather the night he left and was about to give his daughter away at her wedding.
"It was a very huge shock, it's difficult every day. It's hard.""It was a very huge shock, it's difficult every day. It's hard."
His daughter Amanda England told how despite her father's death, she got married days later saying: "It's what my dad would have wanted.His daughter Amanda England told how despite her father's death, she got married days later saying: "It's what my dad would have wanted.
"It was hard - it was the hardest day of my life even though it is meant to be the happiest."It was hard - it was the hardest day of my life even though it is meant to be the happiest.
"But dad was with me," she added."But dad was with me," she added.