THE driver of a vehicle involved in an accident in which an elderly Highampton couple died, told an inquest last week of the 'devastating effect' it has had on her life. William Coyte, 73, and his wife, Anita, 70, from Highampton, were travelling on the A3072 between Hatherleigh and Highampton when they were in collision with a vehicle, driven by Highampton resident Mrs Wendy Stratton. It happened near Venton Cross at around 3.55pm on Monday, February 6. The couple's Daihatsu was in collision with a LandRover Discovery, of which Mrs Stratton was the sole occupant. The LandRover struck a tree and the Daihatsu turned over onto its roof. Mrs Stratton told the inquest in Okehampton last Thursday that her husband, an MOT inspector, was well aware of the importance of maintaining their vehicles to a 'significantly high standard'. She said she had been driving at 40 to 45mph. Her journey had been uneventful until she reached a bend around a mile and a half out of Highampton. She said: 'As I started around the bend, I suddenly sneezed. It was a large and violent sneeze.' Mrs Stratton said this caused her temporarily to lose control of the vehicle which veered to the right. She said she sneezed again, at least once, possibly twice. She took action to try to avoid colliding with the car coming in the opposite direction. 'I steered to the right to drive into the ditch, as I did so I could see the two faces of the people in the other vehicle. I felt an impact and I am not sure if I passed out for a short time. 'This accident has had a devastating effect on me. I am extremely sorry Mr and Mrs Coyte were killed in the accident. I don't believe there is anything I could have done to prevent the accident.' Motorist Ron Elvins, one of the first people on the scene, said he was travelling behind the Coytes' car. He said initially, the LandRover vehicle had been on the correct side of the road, but then deviated heavily across the central white line. He said: 'As soon as it came round the corner I knew there was going to be a crash. There was nothing the green car could do to get out of its way.' Firefighters from Hatherleigh and Holsworthy freed the couple and assisted the ambulance service in attempting to resuscitate them, but both were declared dead at the scene around half an hour later. Mrs Stratton suffered minor injuries and was taken to North Devon Hospital. MPC Nicholas Bloomfield from Exeter Traffic Centre said there was 'no evidence to suggest excess speed on the part of either vehicle'. Police vehicle examiners reported both vehicles were reasonably well maintained and had no mechanical defects. Coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland offered her 'deepest sympathies' to the family and to Mrs Stratton, saying she hoped 'in time, all of you will come to terms with this tragedy'. Dr Earland recorded a verdict of accidental death for both Mr and Mrs Coyte.
