THE wife of a 77-year-old Moreton-in-Marsh motorist who died following a car crash claims there were not adequate road signs in place.

Former taxi-driver Michael Hopkins of Redesdale Place, Moreton-in-Marsh, suffered traumatic rib and femur fractures and developed pneumonia in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where he died several days after the accident.

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Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court was told in an inquest on Monday that Mr Hopkins was driving along the A44 near the junction with Buckle Street on Fish Hill, Broadway, with his wife Rita in the front passenger seat when they approached roadworks and temporary traffic lights.

“There did not appear to be adequate warning signs and my husband was not driving fast,” said Mrs Hopkins in written evidence.

“Suddenly there was a queue of traffic ahead and I shouted ‘stop’ to my husband but it was too late and we collided with the rear of a car.”

Subsequent police investigations at the scene of the collision revealed that there were no issues with the signage and motorists were adequately warned of the roadworks, the inquest was told.

Roland Woodeston, assistant coroner for Gloucestershire, said “This was a serious road traffic accident and the deceased suffered traumatic rib and femur fractures.

“He seemed to be recovering but then suffered from pneumonia and died on May 10.”

The inquest continues.