A 78-YEAR-OLD man from Leeds died from a combination of underlying medical conditions and injuries from a car crash near Dunnington last September, an inquest has heard.

Assistant coroner Jonathon Leach recorded a narrative verdict into Robert Peter Storey’s death at a inquest at New Earswick Folk Hall on Tuesday.

Mr Storey died in hospital in Leeds on September 4 last year, after a crash at around 10.30am on the A166 near Dunnington on August 19 2013, the inquest heard.

The coroner considered medical evidence which said Mr Storey had a number of pre-existing conditions, including heart and lung problems and diabetes, before the accident.

Mr Storey was driving towards York when his car strayed over the centre line into oncoming traffic and hit two cars.

Giving evidence traffic constable Stuart Langford said the occupants of the first car - a child minder and several young children - escaped without serious injury after Mr Storey’s car hit it with a “glancing blow”.

The second vehicle was hit almost head on, he added, but there was no explanation of why Mr Storey’s car had drifted across the road.

TC Langford added: “The most obvious cause is simple distraction or a sudden deterioration in health.”