Scrap van driver killed in A689 head-on crash near Rushyford
Christopher Anthony Mordue, 38, died after a four-vehicle crash on the A689 between the junction to the A1M and Rushyford on June 30, last year. An inquest heard at Crook Coroner's Court yesterday (Tuesday, April 15) that Mordue, a scrap metal merchant from Hetton-le-Hole, was driving a white Ford Transit flatbed van carrying scrap metal when the collision happened. The court heard evidence from police officers, witnesses and the HGV driver involved in the crash.
The HGV driver, Steven Archbald, who had been working in the role since 1998, told the court he had started his shift at 7am, completing deliveries before returning to his base in Coundon. He set off again at about 11 am, heading towards Eaglescliffe. Mr Archbald said he had been driving the DAF vehicle for about a year without issue, and the trailer was empty at the time of the collision.
In a statement read to the court, he described seeing Mordue's van cross the centre line moments before the crash. He said: "I saw a white pickup vehicle coming towards me, it was starting to move across the centre white line. "I started to slow, I think I moved to the left.
The van just kept coming and then collided with me head-on. I had nowhere to go. There was a heavy impact.
The HGV continued to move and I was trying to move the steering wheel, but I couldn't move my right arm. "I felt a further lighter impact as the HGV travelled across the road to the right. I felt dazed and shook up.
The only pain I could feel was in my right arm. "I couldn't move from the car, and a lady was there talking to me trying to keep me awake. I felt drowsy.
"I have had pins and plates fitted to my shoulder, elbow and wrist; I am still receiving treatment for my injuries. "I didn't have anywhere to go to avoid the collision. I did what I could, but I think it was unavoidable."
The court heard from husband and wife Jessica and Lee Clark, who had been travelling behind Mordue's van. They both described the vehicle as heavily loaded with scrap items. Mrs Clark told the court: "The van was unstable, overpacked and overweight."
She added: "I said to my husband, 'what is he doing'? He is going to crash. "All of a sudden, the scrap van hit the front part of the lorry.
At the point of impact, everything on the back of the van came off and went flying into the road and the grass verge. "I remember seeing all those washing machines and other household appliances heading towards our vehicle." Mr Clark said debris was "flying everywhere" after the crash.
Another motorist, John Welsh, who was driving a Nissan Qashqai behind Mordue's van, also gave evidence. He said: "I do recall the scrap van veering across the carriageway to the right and it then colliding with the HGV, travelling in the opposite direction. "There was a massive cloud and then I brought my vehicle to a stop.
The next thing, the HGV continued and collided with the front driver's side of my vehicle. I managed to get myself out of the vehicle in total shock about what had happened." 
The court heard Mordue was ejected from the van during the collision. A post-mortem examination carried out by pathologist Dr Mulcahy found the cause of death to be head injuries. The report stated: "All of the injuries as described are both consistent with injuries caused as a result of an unrestrained driver being ejected from a motor vehicle following a head-on collision with an HGV."
The court heard Mordue had also suffered 13 other external injuries, including multiple fractures. Toxicology testing detected MDMA and small traces of cocaine in his blood and urine. However, the coroner explained the preferred blood sample had clotted and the toxicologist had instead used a second sample taken close to the heart, which could potentially distort the levels recorded.
The inquest heard there was no alcohol detected in Mordue's blood. The court was told Mordue had a reported history of drug and alcohol misuse, according to evidence from his GP, Dr Harriet Williamson. 
PC Dickinson, a forensic collision investigator for Durham and Cleveland Police since 2020, gave evidence about the investigation into the crash. He told the court he was asked to take over the case after two previous officers stepped away due to a conflict of interest. PC Dickinson said investigators found no issues with the road or weather conditions that could have affected driving.
He said a large gauge mark on the eastbound side of the road, where the HGV had been travelling, was understood to be the likely point of impact. Both vehicles had suffered catastrophic damage, but no mechanical defects were identified. Based on the evidence, PC Dickinson said it was likely Mordue had not been wearing a seatbelt.
The court heard the seatbelt was found strapped tightly behind him against the seat. Dashcam footage from the HGV was also reviewed. 
PC Dickinson told the court it showed the white Ford flatbed van veering in and out of the opposite side of the road before colliding with the HGV. The footage matched witness accounts and there was "no evidence either was on their mobile phone". The court also heard from PC Dylan, one of the first officers at the scene, who said Mr Archbald was trapped in the HGV when he arrived.
Delivering her conclusion, assistant coroner Rebecca Sutton said Mordue had been driving westbound along the A689 with a passenger in the front seat when the collision happened. She said: "I find that on June 30, 2025, he was driving his flatbed van westbound along the A689 with a passenger in the front seat. "The flatbed truck was seen by a number of witnesses to be swerving from side to side.
"Christopher was driving within the speed limit, when he drove his flatbed van into the eastbound carriageway on the A689. "He drove into a head-on collision with the HGV being driven by Mr Archbald, who was travelling in the eastbound carriageway. "Prior to the collision, Mr Archbald was driving entirely appropriately and he attempted to avoid the collision by breaking and by attempting to turn to the left, but he was unable to avoid the collision.
"I find that Christopher suffered multiple injuries, including very significant head injury, which caused his death. He probably died very quickly at the scene, and there was nothing that anyone could have done to save him. I find it a fact that he was not wearing a seatbelt.
"Toxicological analysis reveals the presence of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, in Christopher's system.
"I find that it is likely on the balance of probabilities that the MDMA adversely affected Christopher's ability to drive and therefore contributed to the accident."
The coroner recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision.