Barry Panter, the 75-year-old mayor of Newcastle-Under-Lyme, died after his car collided with a tractor towing a muck spreader on February 13 last year. An inquest at Shropshire Coroner's Court heard that Mr. Panter was traveling to a council meeting when the incident occurred in Woore, Shropshire.
The court was told that the pensioner had been negotiating a bend when the rear of the muck spreader struck Mr. Panter's Suzuki Splash. The tractor, driven by Christopher Bedson, was traveling at approximately 18 mph. Mr. Bedson initially did not stop, believing he had hit a pothole, but later returned to the scene. He told police he had used the tractor's main road lights, either on full beam or dipped.
Witness Keri Lovatt reported seeing a tractor with "very bright lights" approaching before finding Mr. Panter's car at a 90-degree angle in the road. She recalled Mr. Panter repeatedly saying "bright light, bright light" and complaining of head pain.
Detective Constable Ben Ward of West Mercia Police's serious collision investigation unit stated that a police crash investigation team was not sent to the scene because medical personnel did not initially believe Mr. Panter's injuries were life-threatening. Police Sergeant Sarah Fraser-Smith testified that it was likely the muck spreader crossed the white line, encroaching into Mr. Panter's lane. "Had the driver of the Suzuki moved to use the nearside of the road there was room for both vehicles to pass without incident," PS Smith said.
PS Smith added that it was "highly likely" Mr. Panter was unable to see the oncoming vehicle due to being "dazzled by the oncoming headlights." The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the case but determined it did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution.
Deputy Coroner Heath Westerman concluded that Mr. Panter died as a result of a road traffic collision. He stated, "As Mr. Panter approached the left-hand bend he was met by, and blinded by a New Holland tractor towing a muck-spreader, part of which encroached into the opposing lane, coming into contact with the Suzuki, causing it to come off the road having sustained extensive front end damage." Mr. Panter's cause of death was recorded as multiple acute injuries sustained in the collision.
Mr. Panter had a distinguished career, having joined the RAF at age 19 and serving 23 years with the South Wales Police. He was elected to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in 2016 and served as mayor in 2024. He passed away two days after the collision, on February 16.