Driver's fatal U-turn after missed junction

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Laura Roberts12 April 2012

Three family members were killed in a crash when their car made an illegal U-turn after missing their exit to Heathrow, an inquest heard.

They had been driving Rajendra Patel, 56, to the airport so he could fly to India and finalise plans for his oldest son's wedding.

But after missing the exit Vasumati Patel, 63, tried to make a U-turn and a van ploughed into the family's Honda, killing her, brother Rajendra and their brother in law Niranjanbhai Patel, 57.

Rajendra's son Jaydeep, who was 18 at the time, described seeing blinding headlights before hearing a terrific bang after his aunt attempted the manoeuvre on January 17 this year. West London coroner's court heard that the accident happened near Hatton Cross Tube station. Van driver Peter Brown had no chance to avoid the collision.

The impact of the 40mph van killed Rajendra nearly instantly. Jaydeep was knocked unconscious but woke to find his father dead and his aunt and uncle taking their final breaths.

It was thought Vasumati either ignored or did not see the unlit no right-turn lights at the junction of the airport turn-off on a dark and rainy morning.

The inquest was adjourned to investigate the impact a faulty light on the sign at the junction had on the crash.

Tearfully reading his written statement, Jaydeep said: "It was a cold and rainy day. We were heading towards Hatton Cross and realised we had missed our turning. I was listening to my music and was not sure what was said but I think Vasumati was making a U-turn.

"Next I just saw two headlights heading towards me then a bang I was knocked out. When I woke up I saw my father next to me and I knew he was dead.

"I mostly remember in between my father and I was a suitcase that must have taken the bulk of the impact, it saved my life."

Van driver Mr Brown said: "I didn't have a clue where the car came from. It all happened so fast that it was in front of me and I hit.

"At first I didn't realise what I had hit. The first thing I wanted to do was go to the toilet and I went to the BP garage.

"When I came back to the blue car I shouted 'wake up, wake up'.

"I wasn't travelling any faster than 40mph. After the crash I heard someone say 'it was an illegal right-turn - you didn't stand a chance'."

Police investigators told the court the van driver could not have braked in time. He passed sobriety tests after the crash.

Coroner Sarah Ormond-Walsh adjourned the proceedings to ask Transport for London to give evidence to explain why the sign was not illuminated.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be set.

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