Latest news with #HumphreyPickering
The Sun
07-08-2025
- The Sun
OAP driver, 81, kills walking couple and himself after accidentally pressing accelerator instead of brake
An 81-year-old driver killed a walking couple and himself after accidentally pressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake. Reverend Stephen Burch and his wife Katherine, both 65 and from Alcester, Warwickshire, died in a collision in Anglesey, on August 28 last year. 7 7 The couple were mowed down on the street after motorist Humphrey Pickering lost control on a sharp bend. He accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake in his Audi A8 automatic, an inquest heard. Mr and Mrs Burch were both pronounced dead at the scene. Ex-librarian Mr Pickering, from Colwyn Bay, also died at the roadside after his car smashed into the front of a house on Alma Street. He was not wearing his seat-belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard the 81-year-old driver had been trying to navigate exiting a tight parking space. He was maneuvering the vehicle to allow for his wife Margaret to get into the passenger seat. However, a witness told the inquest he "lurched forward" and "appeared to panic" before the car "shot off down the road". CCTV footage revealed the Audi accelerate "abruptly" into four pedestrians, two of which were left minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, a forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, told the hearing Mr Pickering's car had continued to accelerate on Alma Street. He nearly crashed into two cars before losing control on a 90 degrees right bend. Data recovered from the Audi revealed the accelerator was being pressed, while the brake was never activated. Mr Pickering was barrelling through the 20mph zone at 55mph before the fatal smash. It was previously reported that one witness said she had been in a hotel overlooking the scene when she heard a "loud bang". 7 7 7 She then watched "people trying very, very hard to do CPR". She said: "Everybody really rallied around, diverting the traffic and trying their best to give the people dignity, but it was pretty horrific." "The town is absolutely full of tourists and people walk down that street. It's just a beautiful, beautiful place." Another resident said on social media: "It happened right in front of us on the road beside the pier. "It's an utter tragedy for those directly affected by the crash. No warning, it happened completely out of the blue." Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of "pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error". He said: "He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle." Mr and Mrs Burch's daughter Sarah Packwood told the inquest her mum "always put others first" and was "passionate about serving her community". She remembered her dad as someone who "actively shared his faith throughout his life" and was an "avid sports fan". But Ms Packwood did raise concerns over whether Mr Pickering had been fit to drive at the time. Mr Pickering's daughter, Helen Baxter, said he was an "active member of the community" who was "out in the garden every day in all weathers" and had "good" mental agility. She said he "loved to travel" and had four upcoming holidays booked. Senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, said she was satisfied the "most likely explanation" for the collision was the "pedal missapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration". She told both families: "There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. "I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances." Heartfelt tributes poured in for Mr and Mrs Burch after news of the tragedy broke. A spokesman for the Diocese of Coventry said: "It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Steve and Kathy Burch have been tragically killed while walking along Beaumaris Pier on the Isle of Anglesey. "Steve was a popular member of our diocese and well known for his good humour and unwavering faith and many will also know Kathy well from her work with CPAS and worship ministry. As a couple they were still very active in retirement, running an alpha course leading to baptism and confirmations. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve and Kathy's family at this time especially their children, David, Jonathan and Sarah as they come to terms with this devastating, unexpected loss." A tribute from the Great Alne Cricket Club read: "Steve has been a GACC member for well over 20 years, holding various positions including Sunday captain, secretary, and most recently, chairman. A cherished member of the club, Steve racked up 1190 runs since records began. "Best known for his unperishable forward defensive, he also took 15 wickets during his bowling days. His efforts in the field were unquestionable, and commitment to ensuring that the club succeeded in whatever format shall remain legendary. "Both Steve and Kathy were vital members off the field, too. Steve would regularly score for the Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday teams; a role which is invaluable but often forgotten. Kathy was well known in Great Alne for her tremendous cricket teas, enjoyed by all who were able to tuck in."
The Independent
07-08-2025
- The Independent
Motorist, 81, pressed accelerator in error and fatally hit retired couple, inquest told
An 81-year-old motorist pressed his accelerator pedal 'in error' and hit a retired couple at high speed, an inquest has heard. Stephen Burch and Katherine Burch, both 65, had no time to react as Humphrey Pickering failed to negotiate a sharp bend and lost control of his powerful Audi A8 automatic car. The former vicar and charity worker, from Alcester, Warwickshire, suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene of the collision in the popular North Wales seaside town Beaumaris. Ex-librarian Mr Pickering, from Colwyn Bay, also died at the scene in Alma Street, as his car went on to collide with the front of a house on the afternoon of August 28 last year. He was not wearing his seat-belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard that Mr Pickering had earlier tried to pull slowly out of a tight parking space off the seafront near to the Bulkeley Hotel, to allow enough room for his wife, Margaret, to get into the vehicle's passenger side. An eyewitness told the court the grey Audi suddenly 'lurched forward' and the driver 'appeared to panic' before the car 'shot off down the road'. CCTV footage showed the Audi initially accelerate 'abruptly' into a group of four pedestrians, knocking down two people who escaped with minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, said Mr Pickering's car continued to accelerate on Alma Street and narrowly missed colliding with two vehicles. Mr Pickering then lost control of the Audi on a 90 degrees right bend. Pre-crash data recovered from the vehicle showed the accelerator pedal was repeatedly pressed and the brake pedal was not activated. The Audi reached a speed of 55mph, in a 20mph zone, in the seconds before the collision, the court heard. Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of 'pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error'. He said: 'He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle.' One of Mr and Mrs Burch's three children, Sarah Packwood, told the inquest her parents were both of 'deep Christian faith'. Her mother was a talented musician and baker who 'always put others first' and was 'passionate about serving her community', while her father 'actively shared his faith throughout his life' and was an 'avid sports fan'. She said her family has raised concerns about the age of Mr Pickering and his ability to drive a brand new powerful vehicle. Mr Pickering's daughter, Helen Baxter, said the father-of-two was an 'active member of the community' who was 'out in the garden every day in all weathers' and had 'good' mental agility. She said Mr Pickering was a librarian in Oldham before he set up his own business in automated library services, which led to him working around the world. She said he had five holidays booked for 2024 'which was normal for him as he loved to travel'. Senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, said she was satisfied the 'most likely explanation' for the collision was the 'pedal missapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration'. She told both families: 'There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. 'I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances.'
Daily Mirror
07-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
Three die in crash as librarian, 81, in Audi A8 'presses accelerator in error'
Humphrey Pickering, 81, lost control of his powerful Audi A8 after failing to negotiate a sharp bend and knocked down Stephen Burch and Katherine Burch, in Beaumaris, North Wales An 81-year-old motorist pressed his accelerator pedal 'in error' and hit a retired couple at high speed, an inquest has heard. Stephen Burch and Katherine Burch, both 65, had no time to react as Humphrey Pickering failed to negotiate a sharp bend and lost control of his powerful Audi A8 automatic car. The former vicar and charity worker, from Alcester, Warwickshire, suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene of the collision in the popular North Wales seaside town Beaumaris. Ex-librarian Mr Pickering, from Colwyn Bay, also died at the scene in Alma Street, as his car went on to collide with the front of a house on the afternoon of August 28 last year. He was not wearing his seat-belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. It comes after reports a dad's tragic three-word post hours before plunging to his death at Oasis gig. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard Mr Pickering had earlier tried to pull slowly out of a tight parking space off the seafront near to the Bulkeley Hotel, to allow enough room for his wife, Margaret, to get into the vehicle's passenger side. An eyewitness told the court the grey Audi suddenly 'lurched forward' and the driver 'appeared to panic' before the car 'shot off down the road'. CCTV footage showed the Audi initially accelerate 'abruptly' into a group of four pedestrians, knocking down two people who escaped with minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, said Mr Pickering's car continued to accelerate on Alma Street and narrowly missed colliding with two vehicles. Mr Pickering then lost control of the Audi on a 90 degrees right bend. Pre-crash data recovered from the vehicle showed the accelerator pedal was repeatedly pressed and the brake pedal was not activated. The Audi reached a speed of 55mph, in a 20mph zone, in the seconds before the collision, the court heard. Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of 'pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error'. He said: 'He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle.' One of Mr and Mrs Burch's three children, Sarah Packwood, told the inquest her parents were both of 'deep Christian faith'. Her mother was a talented musician and baker who 'always put others first' and was 'passionate about serving her community', while her father 'actively shared his faith throughout his life' and was an 'avid sports fan'. She said her family has raised concerns about the age of Mr Pickering and his ability to drive a brand new powerful vehicle. Mr Pickering's daughter, Helen Baxter, said the father-of-two was an 'active member of the community' who was 'out in the garden every day in all weathers' and had 'good' mental agility. She said Mr Pickering was a librarian in Oldham before he set up his own business in automated library services, which led to him working around the world. She said he had five holidays booked for 2024 'which was normal for him as he loved to travel'. Senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, said she was satisfied the 'most likely explanation' for the collision was the 'pedal missapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration'. She told both families: 'There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances.'
Telegraph
07-08-2025
- Telegraph
Motorist, 81, ‘pressed accelerator in error and hit retired couple'
An 81-year-old motorist pressed his accelerator pedal 'in error' and hit a retired couple in a Welsh seaside town at high speed, an inquest has heard. Stephen and Katherine Burch, both 65, had no time to react as Humphrey Pickering failed to negotiate a sharp bend and lost control of his Audi A8 automatic car. Mr and Mrs Burch, a former vicar and charity worker, from Alcester, Warwickshire, suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene in the North Wales town of Beaumaris. Mr Pickering, a former librarian from Colwyn Bay, also died at the scene on Alma Street when his car went on to collide with the front of a house on Aug 28 last year. He was not wearing his seat belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard that Mr Pickering had earlier tried to pull slowly out of a tight parking space off the seafront to allow enough room for his wife, Margaret, to get into the vehicle's passenger side. A witness told the court that the grey Audi suddenly 'lurched forward' and the driver 'appeared to panic' before the car 'shot off down the road'. CCTV footage showed the car initially accelerate 'abruptly' into a group of four pedestrians, knocking down two people who escaped with minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, the forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, said Mr Pickering's car continued to accelerate on Alma Street and narrowly missed colliding with two vehicles. Mr Pickering then lost control of the Audi on a 90-degree right bend. Pre-crash data recovered from the vehicle showed the accelerator pedal was repeatedly pressed and the brake pedal was not activated. The Audi reached a speed of 55mph, in a 20mph zone, in the seconds before the collision, the court heard. Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of 'pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error'. He said: 'He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle.' 'A sudden and unintended acceleration' Sarah Packwood, one of Mr and Mrs Burch's three children, told the inquest her parents were both of 'deep Christian faith'. Her mother was a talented musician and baker who 'always put others first' and was 'passionate about serving her community', while her father 'actively shared his faith throughout his life' and was an 'avid sports fan'. She said her family had raised concerns about the age of Mr Pickering and his ability to drive a brand new powerful vehicle. Helen Baxter, Mr Pickering's daughter, said the father-of-two was an 'active member of the community' who was 'out in the garden every day in all weathers' and had good mental agility. She said Mr Pickering had five holidays booked for last year, 'which was normal for him as he loved to travel'. Kate Robertson, the senior coroner for north-west Wales, said she was satisfied the 'most likely explanation' for the collision was the 'pedal misapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration'. She told both families: 'There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. 'I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances.'
The Independent
07-08-2025
- The Independent
Motorist, 81, pressed accelerator in error and hit retired couple, inquest told
An 81-year-old motorist pressed his accelerator pedal 'in error' and hit a retired couple at high speed, an inquest has heard. Stephen Burch and Katherine Burch, both 65, had no time to react as Humphrey Pickering failed to negotiate a sharp bend and lost control of his powerful Audi A8 automatic car. The former vicar and charity worker, from Alcester, Warwickshire, suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene of the collision in the popular North Wales seaside town Beaumaris. Ex-librarian Mr Pickering, from Colwyn Bay, also died at the scene in Alma Street, as his car went on to collide with the front of a house on the afternoon of August 28 last year. He was not wearing his seat-belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard that Mr Pickering had earlier tried to pull slowly out of a tight parking space off the seafront near to the Bulkeley Hotel, to allow enough room for his wife, Margaret, to get into the vehicle's passenger side. An eyewitness told the court the grey Audi suddenly 'lurched forward' and the driver 'appeared to panic' before the car 'shot off down the road'. CCTV footage showed the Audi initially accelerate 'abruptly' into a group of four pedestrians, knocking down two people who escaped with minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, said Mr Pickering's car continued to accelerate on Alma Street and narrowly missed colliding with two vehicles. Mr Pickering then lost control of the Audi on a 90 degrees right bend. Pre-crash data recovered from the vehicle showed the accelerator pedal was repeatedly pressed and the brake pedal was not activated. The Audi reached a speed of 55mph, in a 20mph zone, in the seconds before the collision, the court heard. Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of 'pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error'. He said: 'He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle.' One of Mr and Mrs Burch's three children, Sarah Packwood, told the inquest her parents were both of 'deep Christian faith'. Her mother was a talented musician and baker who 'always put others first' and was 'passionate about serving her community', while her father 'actively shared his faith throughout his life' and was an 'avid sports fan'. She said her family has raised concerns about the age of Mr Pickering and his ability to drive a brand new powerful vehicle. Mr Pickering's daughter, Helen Baxter, said the father-of-two was an 'active member of the community' who was 'out in the garden every day in all weathers' and had 'good' mental agility. She said Mr Pickering was a librarian in Oldham before he set up his own business in automated library services, which led to him working around the world. She said he had five holidays booked for 2024 'which was normal for him as he loved to travel'. Senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, said she was satisfied the 'most likely explanation' for the collision was the 'pedal missapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration'. She told both families: 'There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. 'I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances.'
