An inquest into the death of an animal lover from Beckhampton has heard that 'he was on his way to help an injured bird' when he was involved in a fatal rtc.

Jeff Brown, 65, was killed in a head on rtc on the A4 at East Kennett in May last year. 

The inquest heard that Mr Brown had been driving his Vauxhall Astra van to Hungerford, on his way to meet someone who had found an injured bird.

A statement read out at the inquest from Jeff's wife, Janina said: "He had many hobbies and interests and had a love of birds in particular. He built an aviary in the garden to tend to injured birds.

"He hardly used his car as he always wanted it to be in immaculate condition, but that day, he said he was going to meet someone who had found an injured bird."

Collision investigators concluded that his van had veered into the opposite carriageway and was hit by a Land Rover. The driver of the Land Rover was a doctor who went to Mr Brown's aid after the collision.

The court heard that neither driver had been speeding or on their phones at the time of the crash and no mechanical faults were found with either vehicles.

Coroner Ian Singleton said: "Jeffrey Brown was travelling alone, heading east on the A4 towards Marlborough, when he approached a bend in the road at the top of the hill, he has, for reasons unlear, entered the opposite lane.

"Both the oncoming vehicle and Mr Brown took avoidance action to try and avoid a collision but were unable. The crash led to the injuries which caused Jeffrey's death at the scene."

The coronor ruled the death was due to a road traffic collision.

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