Inquest concludes into death of driver in A556 Chester Road crash

An inquest into the death of Philip Derek Cruse, also known as Philip Maddock, was formally concluded at Warrington Coroner's Court on Wednesday. Elizabeth Wheeler, assistant coroner for Cheshire, concluded the inquest in written form, it was heard. It was recorded that the 61-year-old builder, who lived in Wincham, died on June 17 last year on the A556 Chester Road in Delamere.

This followed a road traffic collision between the junction with Stoney Lane, and the junction with Abbey Lane and Station Road. The crash was described by the coroner as a 'high-speed collision when Mr Cruse's car crossed onto the opposite carriageway and collided head-on with another vehicle', a black Volkswagen transit van. It was said that before the collision, Mr Cruse's BMW collided with another stationary vehicle.

Emergency services attended the scene, but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene. Cheshire Police issued a public appeal for information following the crash, urging any witnesses to come forward. "At the time of the collision, Mr Cruse was under the effect of oxycodone and amphetamine medication, as well as having stage-four leukaemia and pneumonia," said Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, reading the written inquest into the record.

The medical cause of death was given as multiple injuries due to a road traffic collision. Formally concluding the inquest, Coroner Devonish said: "The conclusion reached by the coroner is that this death was as a result of a road traffic collision." She added: "The inquest is now complete.

All that remains is for me to express condolences to the family."