A WASP could have been the cause of a fatal road accident on the A44 Bromyard to Worcester road, an inquest heard on Friday.

Wilfred Gordon Atherton, of Leominster, was driving his van when it was involved in a head on collision with an articulated lorry on October 6, 2000.

Forty-eight-year-old Mr Atherton - who was employed by TPG Disabled Aids of Hereford - died at the scene of multiple injuries.

The lorry driver, Gareth Taylor from Evesham, was said to have veered on to the other side of the road when a wasp entered the cab of his vehicle.

In a statement to the Police Mr Taylor said that he was driving the lorry from Bromyard to Worcester when a wasp flew into the vehicle close to his face and chest.

He looked down to get rid of it and when he looked up again he saw the roof of the blue transit van and collided with the vehicle. It was pushed some 23 metres back down the road.

Acting Police Sergeant Richard Treharne stated that a spokesman from a local pest control company confirmed that wasps were still out and about in abundance as there had been a late summer in 2000.

Coroner, David Halpern, said that Mr Atherton had faced 'every driver's nightmare' when he was confronted with a vehicle coming towards him on his side of the road and Mr Atherton was not given any opportunity to avoid the collision.

Mr Halpern recorded a verdict of accidental death.