No way driver could avoid Ethel Hobbins in tragic Kings Road accident

Ethel Hobbins, of High Poplars, Swain House, had been on the way to catch the bus into Bradford city centre on August 7, 2019, when she was involved in a collision with a car in Kings Road, close to the junction with Thorndale Rise.

Bradford Coroners Court heard yesterday how there was nothing driver Stephen Drake could have done to avoid the collision as he drove up Kings Road.

The court heard how Mrs Hobbins “regrettably may have been rushing to get the bus and in her haste stepped into the road from behind a tree, which meant Mr Drake could not see her and had no time to avoid a collision”.

Evidence from a number of witnesses said they saw Mrs Hobbins approaching the road side before the collision occurred, but she had been obscured from Mr Drake’s view by trees lining the roadside.

The location in Kings Road where the tragic accident occurred

A carer and a student nurse who were in the area at the time performed CPR on Mrs Hobbins in an attempt to save her, but she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Immediately after the accident Mr Drake had called 999 and was “in shock and visibly emotional”, and other road users had spoken to him to make sure he was ok.

He had not been speeding and was not under the influence of any drink or drugs at the time. The plasterer had just been to pick up some supplies shortly before the accident occurred.

A statement from Mrs Hobbins’ daughter heard she was a “creature of habit” who enjoyed betting on horse racing, and was probably on the way into town to visit the bookmakers when the tragic accident happened.

Amanda Lee said her mother was born in Manchester Road and lived in the city her entire life, in West Bowling and later she moved to Swain House in the mid 2010s where she lived on High Poplars, and worked in textiles factories and pubs.

She said: “My mum loved to socialise and go on holiday with her friends and loved horse racing, bingo and dominoes.

“She was a very loving person and loved her great-grandson, and she loved my two girls Kelly and Charlotte and would take them away in the school holidays.

“She was happy and full of life and didn’t care what other people thought; she loved walking and was very healthy.

“Since she passed away it has left a massive void in our lives. We had never been apart and she will be sadly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

“Life will never be the same without her.”

A police statement read during the inquest said Mrs Hobbins had stepped out from behind a tree before being in a collision with the black Jaguar SUV being driven by Mr Drake.

Mr Drake remained at the scene and called 999, and during interview was “very upset” about the collision.

He told police he had no time to brake or swerve out of the way, and stopped as soon as he could.

Police concluded Mrs Hobbins may have been rushing to get to the bus stop when she stepped out, and that Mr Drake could not have avoided the collision.

A post-mortem examination found Mrs Hobbins’ cause of death to be chest and abdominal injuries caused by a road traffic accidents.

Assistant Coroner Angela Brocklehurst said CCTV appeared to show Mrs Hobbins did not stop to check if the road was clear before trying to cross and Mr Drake would have been unable to see her.

She concluded: “Regrettably Ethel may have been rushing to get the bus, and in her haste stepped into the road from behind a tree, which meant Mr Drake could not see her and had no time to avoid the collision.

“Mr Drake had insufficient time to stop or avoid the collision, and Mrs Hobbins died as the result of a road traffic accident, and my condolences go to her family.”