On 23rd October 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of William John Watson, aged 93. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 18th March 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was that William John Watson had died as the result of a road traffic collision. The medical cause of death was found to be:

1a Multiple Traumatic Injuries. 2 Stenotic Coronary Atherosclerosis.

1) William John Watson was born on 22nd March 1920. At the time of his death, he was 93 years of age.

2) He was in generally good health for his age.

3) On 22nd October 2013, at about 8.30 a.m. he was driving his car, a blue Ford Fiesta, along the Middle Road, Isle of Wight, in an easterly direction towards Newport. He was following behind a car which was following behind a single decker coach which was on a school run.
4) The road was subject to the national speed limit and is a single carriageway. Evidential accounts about the weather at the time varied, but it started to rain around the time of the collision. Visibility was good.

5) The car immediately in front of Mr Watson pulled out and overtook the coach safely and without incident.

6) As the coach indicated and began to slow down to collect a pupil waiting at a bus-stop, Mr Watson edged out to see if it was safe to overtake the coach. Initially it was unsafe, and he pulled back in behind the coach.

7) As the coach was almost at the bus-stop, Mr Watson pulled out from behind the coach to overtake it. Witnesses did not recall seeing his offside indicator being used.

8) As he was level with the coach, Mr Watson was struck head-on by another vehicle, a black VW Polo, driven by which was travelling at approximately 40 mph in the opposite direction.

9) Both drivers were seriously injured and had to be cut from their vehicles by the emergency services.

10) Mr Watson’s condition visibly deteriorated prior to being released from his vehicle and he was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital where he died in the Emergency Department at 11 a.m. later that day.