Setting sun blinded driver who ran into 89-year-old
AN 89-year-old World War Two veteran died after being struck by a car as he crossed the road in Golcar.
Coroner Roger Whittaker said he would support the police in their plans to request a pedestrian crossing at Scar Lane.
Former textile worker Samuel Emery, who lived alone at Longcroft Yard in Golcar, died on November 12 last year.
The pensioner, who was deaf in both ears and partially sighted, was killed just after 3.25pm while crossing Scar Lane.
He was heading from the Royal British Legion Club to the opposite side of the busy road when he was hit by a black Toyota Avensis, travelling from Milnsbridge.
It was being driven by Huddersfield woman Hyacinth Facey, who told police the setting sun had glared through her windscreen, temporarily blinding her.
She said she had not seen Mr Emery even before the sun had blinded her.
Mrs Facey said: "The sun just shone so brightly and it happened so quickly it blurred my vision completely."
Driving instructor Craig Ellis, who was travelling down Scar Lane towards Milnsbridge with a pupil, told the inquest how he tried to help Mr Emery.
Paramedics and police then arrived at the scene.
Police accident investigator Pc Stuart Parkin said when Mr Emery stepped into the road, the Toyota would have been about 30 yards from him.
He said: "Had the driver been able to see him and react at the point of him stepping off the kerb, it is my belief she could have stopped in the time and distance available."
Coroner Roger Whittaker recorded a verdict of accidental death.