Businessman 'collapsed at wheel'

Lynn Wilson [Pic: The Wilson Foundation]

Lynn Wilson died after the accident in hospital at Inverness

A businessman and philanthropist from Northampton probably collapsed at the wheel before crashing into a lorry and car, an inquest has heard.

Lynn Wilson, 69, of The Grange, Holcot, crashed on the A96 at Forres in Scotland on 9 July last year.

He died of his injuries at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

At the inquest at Northampton General Hospital Gordon Ryall, assistant deputy coroner for Northamptonshire, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

An accident report by Grampian Police said Mr Wilson had been driving home from a fishing trip in a hired Dodge Caliber when Ian Forbes, who had been driving a lorry in the opposite direction, saw him veer into his carriageway.

What was said was very much as we had understood the event took place

Giles Wilson

Mr Forbes flashed his lights but Mr Wilson continued to drift hitting the lorry.

The Dodge then hit a Nissan Almera behind the lorry, driven by Fiona Darge who was injured, before overturning and coming to rest on the verge.

Emergency services cut Mr Wilson out of the Dodge and he was taken to hospital by air ambulance, but could not be saved.

Mr Ryall said the fact that Mr Wilson did not react to the lorry's flashing lights may have been because of illness.

A pathologist gave the cause of death as head and neck injuries suffered in the crash, with a secondary cause of cardiac enlargement and coronary artery disease.

Although there was no evidence Mr Wilson suffered a heart attack, he had a continuing medical condition and it was likely he lost consciousness just before the crash, the hearing was told.

Rich List

Mr Ryall told Mr Wilson's family: "I think there is no other explanation other than he had a medical and cardiac event that caused him to lose control and resulted in him crossing the road into the path of the approaching lorry and car."

Mr Wilson owned winners at both Cheltenham and Royal Ascot. He built up his fortune through house-building firm Wilson Connolly and was featured in the Sunday Times Rich List along with his late brother Con in 2003.

He was a former president of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club and in 1970 also set up the Wilson Foundation in memory of his brother.

The charity aims to "give a helping hand" to young people in Northamptonshire.

His son Giles, who attended the inquest, said: "What was said was very much as we had understood the event took place."