Runaway taxi in fatal accident

Carmen Juliet Champion (85) of Laburnum Grove, Bognor, was waiting to cross the road at the end of Lyon Street where it meets the mini-roundabout on High Street when the accident happened,just after 2pm on December 4.

As she was waiting to cross the road, a Citroen Xara Picasso taxi came rolling backwards down the road before running her over. She was taken to St Richard's Hospital by ambulance where she later died from multiple injuries on December 5.

An inquest heard a statement made to police after the incident by taxi driver Mark Hewitt. He said he had parked outside a newsagents in Lyon Street and turned off the engine, but left the keys in the ignition and put the handbrake on as normal.

After visiting the shop, he saw his taxi rolling backwards towards the roundabout.

Elaine Appleby was walking into town in the same direction as Mrs Champion and saw what happened.

She said: 'As I got to the junction she was in front of me. The next thing I saw was what I thought was a taxi and I can remember thinking he had obviously seen Mrs Champion.

'It was when it hit Mrs Champion I realised there was no one in the car.'

The inquest heard how Mr Hewitt was meticulous in his upkeep and maintenance of the taxi. Police carried out checks on the taxi which revealed it to be in perfect working order.

West Sussex coroner Roger Stone recorded a verdict of accidental death. Mr Hewitt will appear in Chichester magistrates' court on October 2 facing a charge of careless driving.