A MOTORIST whose mother died after a collision is still mystified how his car drifted into oncoming traffic, an inquest heard.

Lester Suleman was driving his mother Winifred Hoyle, 73, home from a shopping trip in a Nissan Micra when it veered across Kelbrook Road and collided with a Chevrolet Tacuma.

Burnley Coroner's Court heard Mrs Hoyle, of Hill Street, Barnoldswick, who was a front-seat passenger, suffered multiple injuries.

She was airlifted to Airedale Hospital at Steeton, but died a short time later.

Tributes to the former Tory town council candidate and leading community campaigner flooded in following her death.

Three Silent Night production workers, who were travelling home from an early shift, recalled how the Micra veered into the opposite carriageway, just near a rise in the road, on October 19 last year.

Andrew Wright, from Burnley, whose Renault Clio had its wing mirror clipped by the Micra, said: "I didn't have any time to react but I moved to the left quickly."

His colleague Colin Young, from Colne, added: "How I managed to get out of his way I will never know."

Kathleen Smitheram, who was driving the Chevrolet behind them, told the inquest that she tried to brake when she realised the Micra was heading towards her.

Interviewed by police the next day, she said the car appeared to be 'out of control'.

Mr Suleman was also interviewed by police following the collision.

He told the inquest: "I could speculate about what could have happened but I have really not got a clue."

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor confirmed Mr Suleman had no physical impairments or been distracted or in collision with anything before the Chevrolet.

Police accident investigator Pc Richard Roberts, who examined the circumstances surrounding the incident, said there were no mechanical problems with the Micra which would have caused the crash.

Coroner Mr Taylor recorded a narrative verdict.