WHY has it taken so long?

That was the question being asked by the family of a Hampshire man who was killed in a head-on car crash a year ago.

With three dates scheduled for the inquest into his death, Dean Everson’s family are still waiting to hear a coroner decide on the circumstances surrounding his death.

Saints-mad Dean had been travelling along the A303 in Wiltshire when he was involved in a head-on car crash which also seriously injured his nephew Scott Anderson, who he worked with as asbestos removers.

Police said at the time that a Mini Cooper travelling on the opposite carriageway had inexplicably crashed through the central reservation and into the path of Dean’s van.

Still unable to work, Scott’s rehabilitation is ongoing – he will go back into hospital for two more operations to remove a metal rod from his left leg and another to replace a bone in his knee.

A 24-year-old woman was arrested at the time but later released and police are taking no further action.

Still grieving, Dean’s family, from Bitterne, Southampton, feel they have questions yet to be answered.

Dean is survived by his 13-year-old son Matthew, four-year-old daughter Coral and step-daughter Chloe.

Dean’s death has left a huge hole in the lives of a great number of people. Around 400 people attended his funeral and the following wake at the Royal British Legion club in Bitterne.

Dean’s father, Pete, 70, said: “It’s always at the back of our mind.

“I think we’re all wondering what answers we’re going to get. It’s hard to get our heads around it.

“This last year has been horrendous. My birthday and anniversary are in June and we couldn’t celebrate either. I can’t describe the emotions that we’ve been through, it’s been awful.”

Karen, Dean’s sister and mum of Scott, said: “How did he die? Was it anyone’s fault? Should this have happened? These are the questions we want answers to.”

The family will have waited more than a year to hear a coroner reach a verdict on Dean’s death. The inquest has now been arranged for June 11 at Salisbury Coroner’s Court.

Karen added: “You get all psyched up to go and then it doesn’t happen. It would provide at least some closure.

“Every day it’s in the back of your mind.

“It’s been very hard. We’ve had Scott to look after, too. It was like a steam roller, really.”