A “WARM HEARTED, friendly” couple were killed in a crash when an ex-teacher collapsed at the wheel.
Patricia Mary Evans, 68, and husband Martin Gareth Evans, 70, tragically died at the scene of the horror smash near Great Clifton, Cumbria.
The retired pair were pronounced dead on the A66 Stainburn bypass on February 13, 2023.
Patricia had been behind the wheel when former primary school teacher David Henderson, 45, ploughed into them in his VW Golf.
Henderson was later convicted of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and jailed for seven years and three months.
He was also banned from driving for 16 years and must pass an extended test before getting his licence back.
At an inquest opened into the deaths of Mr and Mrs Evans, their family paid a heartbreaking tribute.
It said: “They were devoted to each other in every sense, and inspirational partners in life.
“Their loss has left a hole in our lives that can never be filled
“While the aim of this inquest is to hopefully make a positive action for change, it is also about honouring who they were – the kindest, most generous and loving of people, who are truly missed by so many.”
Assistant Coroner for Cumbria, Robert Cohen, heard that Henderson had been suffering episodes of syncope since 2011.
This is a temporary form of blackout that can strike without warning.
The condition meant he had previously been advised to stop driving the minibus at his school.
Mr Cohen told the inquest: “It is a source of grave concern that Mr Henderson used to drive children in a school minibus.
“This could have been an even graver tragedy than has already occurred.”
But despite experiencing “persistent symptoms”, it was never reported to the DVLA until 2018.
The DVLA stripped him of his licence and he was supposed to go 12 months without a syncope episode to get it back.
However, it was returned to him before this period had finished.
Henderson later crashed his car due to an episode in January 2022 and was again advised by a cardiologist not to get behind a wheel.
But the DVLA was not informed of the incident or medical warning.
The driver also refused to report the fact he had a pacemaker fitted in August 2022, to help reduce blackouts, to the DVLA.
Henderson was involved in yet another collision in November 2022 and again failed to inform the DVLA and doctors.
During the hearing, Mr Cohen highlighted he had held an inquest for another man killed by a medically unfit driver just the day before.
The coroner also underlined two more recent cases that sparked “significant concern” when it came to DVLA medical licensing process.
Mr Cohen wrote a Prevention of Future Deaths report to the Secretary of State for Transport and the DVLA, urging action to be taken.
The current policy sees drivers responsible to declare any disabilities to the DVLA.
In his Prevention of Future Deaths report, the coroner wrote: “Although medical professionals can inform the DVLA of a patient’s unfitness to drive, the DVLA proceed on the basis that notifications will not usually come via this route.
“In each of these three inquests the drivers responsible for the collisions had repeatedly lied to the DVLA about their fitness to drive. I was told that this was “disappointing” but not wholly surprising.
“Each of these cases illustrate the problem with expecting that those who have medical impairments should self-refer to the DVLA.
“There will be cases where, despite repeated advice not to drive, a person is unable or unwilling to inform the DVLA of their situation.
“My concern is that this risks future deaths. I consider that whilst self-referral remains the default position, more drivers will be able to continue driving whilst endangering lawful road users.”
Mr and Mrs Evans’ family tribute added how 300 people paid their respects at the funeral.
It continued: “They are completely irreplaceable – they were the true meaning of kindness and light in every way.
“Two beautiful, amazing souls that had everything taken away and we didn’t even get to say goodbye.
“A lot of people have told us how proud our parents were of us, but actually we couldn’t be more proud to be their children. We miss them more than we can ever begin to describe.”
