A WOMAN who died in a medical centre car park was involved in an accident, an inquest has heard.
Mary Parkes was run over by her husband in the car park of Loddon Vale Surgery in Woodley on Wednesday, September 28.
As a result of the incident, her husband William – known as Larry – has relinquished his driving licence.
A former roads policing officer for Thames Valley Police told the inquest, held at Reading Town Hall on Thursday, December 22, that there was no mechanical defect with the car, and Mr Parkes had put the car into reverse by mistake.
The inquest, led by Coroner Ravi Sidhu, determined that there were no mechanical faults with the car, and Mr Parkes had unintentionally accelerated, striking his wife and damaging another car.
Mrs Parkes suffered multiple head and chest injuries, as a result of being hit by the car and then hitting the ground.
Mr Parkes had an amputated leg but had had his Nissan adapted so he could drive it legally. There was no evidence that he had any medical impairment at the time of the incident.
He told the inquest: “I have tried a thousand times to understand what I did that day, but all I can gather is that I hadn’t put the handbrake on and I had put the gear lever into reverse by mistake. I have relinquished my driving licence and will never be able to drive again.”
Summing up Coroner Ravi Sidhu said: “It seems clear to me that this was an accident, pure and simple.
“The consequences of the collision led to your wife’s tragic death, and those are consequences you no doubt continue to live with.”
Family tribute to Mary Parkes
In a statement released by the family after the inquest, they paid tribute to Mrs Parkes.
They said: “Mary was always and ever the heart of the family, and infinitely precious to her devoted husband of 64 years, William.
“Mary is survived by, and sorely missed by her family; four children, six grandchildren, a great-grandson, son-in-law and daughters-in-law.
“The whole family are united in their support for William at this time of terrible loss.
“The family were determined that, as well as a focus for grief, Mary’s funeral would be a celebration of her life.
“Accordingly, following a moving service at the crematorium with family contributions, the congregation attended a church service which included a eulogy from Violet, elder daughter to Mary and William, with photos from their wedding and family albums.
“Other family members carried into church the many floral tributes, read poetry and Bible passages, and delivered their own tributes.
“There was also a ‘Tartan table’ to honour Mary’s Scots heritage, with a tartan blanket and a photo of Mary surrounded by her favourite things.
“The funeral was very well attended by family and friends from both near and far, and culminated in a wake at the Land’s End pub, where all reminisced and swapped favourite stories about Mary.
“As Mary was born in Scotland, her ashes were taken by family to be interred in the family plot in Dunfermline cemetery, where they lie alongside those of the rest of her family.
“There was then a ceremony of thanksgiving for the life of Mary, movingly completed by the playing of bagpipes by a family member.
“Thanks are given now by the whole family for the life of their dearly beloved Mary Parkes, and may she now, and forever, Rest in Peace.”
