A HEREFORDSHIRE mechanic is on trial accused of causing death by careless driving on the A49 north of Shrewsbury.

Sebastian Ward, 32, was killed when his car was shunted into the path of a van outside his Shropshire business premises, while he was waiting to turn right.

He died instantly when his Ford Ka was struck from behind by a Vauxhall Movano driven by 41-year-old Carl Whitfield.

A jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court was told yesterday there was a 'catastrophic collision' between Mr Ward's car and another Vauxhall Movano van coming in the opposite direction.

The driver of the second van, George Woolley, had no chance of avoiding the crash and both he and his wife, a passenger in the van, suffered chest and rib injuries.

Whitfield of St Peter's Close, Moreton-on-Lugg, denies causing Mr Ward's death by careless driving on August 26, 2015.

Mr Ward, a father-of-one, of Chapel Lane, Wem, was returning to his business, Seb Ward Car Sales, when the accident happened at Acton Bridge on the A49 between Hadnall and Preston Brockhurst just after 3.15pm.

Philip Beardwell, prosecuting, said Whitfield had been carrying out repairs on the Vauxhall van and was on a test drive when the collision occurred.

He said it happened on a straight section of the road outside Mr Ward's business and accident investigators said his car was at a slight angle and was indicating as he waited in the road to turn right.

Mr Beardwell said there was evidence of emergency braking by the defendant and both the Ford Ka and the other van were badly damaged and the airbags deployed.

He said there was less damage to the defendant's vehicle and he suffered a broken bone in his hand and some cuts and bruising.

The only witnesses to the incident were those involved and police investigation revealed the impact was not at high speed.

The jury was told there would be expert technical evidence as the defendant claimed there was a defect in the van's turbo diesel engine - known as 'run away' or 'blow-by' - which made it run faster.

Mr Beardwell said no evidence was found to support the defendant's claim and alleged Whitfield was guilty of 'momentary inattention' and was unable to brake safely and avoid the collision which caused Mr Ward's tragic death.

"The prosecution say it is the manner of the driving and not any fault with the vehicle," he said.

The trial continues