A ‘PROLONGED lapse of concentration’ by a vicar was likely behind a crash on the A361 that led to her death and a 37-year-old man from Carterton.

The inquests of Reverend Elizabeth Brown, from Bishops Cannings, Wiltshire, and Gareth Roberts, of Brize Norton Road, was held at Oxford Coroner’s Court today.

The court heard that on December 23 last year, Ms Brown’s white Ford Fiesta had been travelling towards Langford at around 3.10pm when she ‘drifted across’ into the opposite lane and the path of Mr Robert’s oncoming grey MG ZR.

He died at the scene of ‘multiple injuries’ and after two months at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, where she was treated for bleeding on the brain and stomach, the 63-year-old also died on February 28.

Witness statements from fellow drivers said Ms Brown could be seen ‘drifting’ over to the other lane several times before the crash.

Collisions investigator Andrew Evans said this suggested there had been either some type of medical issue, though there was no evidence of this, or a long period of lapsed concentration.

He added there was no indication Ms Brown had sharply turned to avoid an animal or other hazard.

Ms Brown’s sister Katrina Sudbury said the crash had followed news their father was dying and this may have caused her to be distracted.

She added her sister had been driving back home after visiting him when the collision took place.

Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter recorded death by road traffic collision for both, calling it a ‘very sad case’.

Oxford Mail:

Gareth Roberts

A tribute released by Mr Roberts' family after the inquest described him as someone who 'lived life to the full' and 'loved nothing more' than organising social events.

He also put on charity events to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in memory of his brother Scott, who died in 2002.

Mr Roberts was born in Germany as his family were stationed there with the RAF, settling with his family in Carterton in 1989, attending Carterton County primary school for a year before moving on to Burford Secondary School.

The tribute said he loved driving and was a 'very safe and careful' driver, who had been coming home after a Christmas shopping trip in Swindon when the crash happened.

In memory of his favourite pastime of golf a fundraising day was held on what would have been his 38th birthday at Carswell Golf Club, which raised £3,000  for the Cystic Fibrosis trust.

Parents Sue and Gwyn said: "We were very proud of Gareth and the man he had become, we shall miss him dearly.

"Losing both of our son’s, Gareth and Scott has left a huge whole in our hearts that will never be filled."