A BUSINESSMAN may have suffered a heart attack seconds before his vehicle crashed through a fence and somersaulted down an embankment.

An inquest heard that Tommy Blank, who founded T Blank Tyres, Accrington, died of multiple injuries, but these may not have proved fatal except for the existing heart disease which impeded his treatment and recovery. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Mr Blank, 77, of Woodside Road, Accrington, died on February 25 when his four-wheel drive vehicle plunged down the embankment leading down to the A56 from Burnley Lane bridge.

The hearing was told that Mr Blank owned a retirement bungalow in Burnley Lane and was less than 200 yards from his home when the accident occurred.

Police accident investigator PC Eric Taylor, said the Isuzu Trooper driven by Mr Blank, who was also well known in the Burnley area, had collided with a crash barrier leading to the bridge before flattening a small tree, a sign post and a post and rail fence and tumbling down the embankment. It stopped after colliding with a bridge support. Eye witness Christopher Broadley said he was driving along the A56 when he saw the vehicle sliding down the embankment. He went to help and said Mr Blank was still conscious while they waited for emergency services to arrive.

Mr Blank was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where, despite surgery and treatment in the intensive care unit, it was impossible to maintain blood pressure. Recording a verdict of accidental death, acting coroner Michael Singleton said that, while severe, the injuries Mr Blank sustained would not normally have proved fatal. "Because of his pre-existing medical condition, his treatment was not effective in the way it would have been for someone without those problems," said Mr Singleton. "It may well have been these heart problems that caused him to lose control in the first place."

Mr Singleton said there had been some suggestion that Mr Blank may have intended to bring about his own death.

"That concern was expressed as a result of the fact that he was travelling at a fast speed without his seat belt," said Mr Singleton.

"I am quite satisfied that there is no reason to believe that Mr Blank intended this outcome."

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