A driver caused "carnage" when he travelled the wrong way along the A34 dual carriageway and collided head-on with another vehicle, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Oxford Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Richard Moore, 52, of Mill Street, Oxford, died in the crash after taking a wrong turning on his way to buy cigarettes.

Mr Moore, unemployed, is thought to have joined the northbound carriageway of the A34 from Westminster Way and headed southwards, shortly after midnight on March 17. Passenger Michael Watson told the hearing that Mr Moore, who was slightly over the drink-drive limit, realised he was on the wrong side of the carriageway shortly after getting on to the A34, but kept going.

It was then a matter of seconds before the collision took place, he added.

Peugeot 406 driver Gillian Cox, of The Avenue, Kennington, was coming the right way along the northbound carriageway and collided with Mr Moore's VW Golf, after overtaking another vehicle.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Moore died from multiple injuries after his car rolled on to its roof. His passengers, Mr Watson, and Abbey Naylor, of Shilton Road, Carterton, were also seriously injured, but survived.

Mrs Cox also suffered multiple injuries, needing seven weeks' treatment in hospital.

Pc Gary Froud, of Abingdon Police, who attended the crash, said: "The scene was one of carnage. There was a large amount of debris."

The hearing was also told that the post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Moore had small levels of cannabis and the heroin substitute Methadone in his blood. Combined with the alcohol, the court heard this could have affected his driving ability and concentration.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of accidental death.