AN elderly Hampshire woman died in a car crash as a result of her son briefly falling asleep at the wheel, an inquest heard.

Marjorie Parks, 93, of Anderwood Drive, Sway, died from chest injuries after the Ford Ka her son Robert Parks was driving veered off the road and hit a tree.

The tragic accident happened in Twiggs Lane, Marchwood, shortly after 2pm on April 2.

The inquest at Southampton and New Forest Coroner’s Court heard how the pair had hired the car for the day from Elm Tree Autos in New Milton to go shopping.

PC David Mitchell, of Hampshire Constabulary, said Mr Parks, 66, was driving towards the Marchwood bypass when he negotiated a left-hand bend and careered off the right hand-side, colliding with a tree.

He said: “Witnesses reported the vehicle was not speeding and had been driving normally up to that point. By the time the vehicle left the road, no swerving or braking had been witnessed.”

PC Mitchell added that witnesses reported hearing Mr Parks say he had fallen asleep immediately after the crash.

Mrs Parks was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to Southampton General Hospital, but she died of her injuries at 8.25pm.

A post-mortem was carried out by Dr Adrian Bateman, which found Mrs Parks suffered chest injuries consistent with a collision.

The inquest heard Mr Parks was his mother’s carer and would often take her out in a car.

In an interview with police officers, Mr Parks said he “must have fallen asleep for a couple of seconds” and told how he had felt sleepy earlier in the journey but had shaken it off.

The inquest heard that the Crown Prosecution Service might have pursued a charge of driving without due care and attention against Mr Parks, but “it simply was not in the public interest” to do so.

Coroner Keith Wiseman, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said: “There was a long interview with Mr Marks about what occurred and, although a lot of matters were discussed, Mr Parks was anxious to make it clear there was just a moment when he nodded off – rather than falling asleep at the wheel.

“He has always been frank and open about what has occurred.

“You lived with and looked after your mother and did do for a number of years.

“I think that the trip itself, sadly, was intended to be for her benefit.

“She liked to go out for a drive and this had very tragic circumstances indeed.”

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Parks, a performance artist who appeared in Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York alongside Robert de Niro, said: “I am completely satisfied with the verdict. I am feeling relieved it is all over.

“She was a spiritual lady. I had a very close relationship with her and feel she is with me.

“I don’t feel any guilt – it was a complete accident that was unpredictable and one of those things.

“Because of the relationship with my mum, she would be keen to know I don’t feel any guilt and feel she is at peace.”