A NINETY-year-old woman was tragically run over by an articulated lorry days after returning from a week's holiday in Spain.

The driver had no knowledge he had knocked down partially-sighted Audrey Williams as she tried to weave through traffic with her white stick.

Brian Cornish, of Charlton Park Lane, Charlton, told an inquest he was unaware he had hit tiny Mrs Williams in Brompton Road on May 8 this year.

Guillermo Baygual was waiting in traffic with his wife at a pedestrian crossing when he saw the woman lying under the wheels of the articulated lorry.

His wife called 999 giving the police the lorry's registration number and the couple followed the lorry to Hyde Park Corner. Metropolitan Police later traced it.

PC Richard Gerrell told the inquest he attended the scene but no one there had seen what had happened. It was confirmed there was a large blind spot from the driver's cab of the lorry.

The 4ft 8in tall retired surgeon died in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital a day after the accident. Her son Nicholas Brown said she led an independent life. Although she had poor eyesight and used a white stick, she was able to get around.

Mrs Williams, of Egerton Gardens, Chelsea, was suffering from flu, which she had picked up while on holiday in Spain, and was being treated by her GP Dr John West who had arranged for an x-ray.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court on November 14, and Mr Cornish was told he would face no prosecution.

November 20, 2001 13:12