A 37-YEAR-OLD man was killed instantly when a coach ploughed into the van he was driving, an inquest heard.
Craig Eaton, of Surrey Street, Middlesbrough, was driving his Transit van north along the A171 at Charltons village, near Guisborough, on September 27 last year when a coach, travelling in the opposite direction, collided into his vehicle.
The van then struck with a Renault car travelling behind.
Mr Eaton, a kitchen and bedroom fitter, died from multiple injuries, including a severed spinal chord.
The Renault driver, Gary Crow, of Newcastle, suffered back and shoulder injuries.
PC Neil Empson, of Cleveland Police's crash investigation unit, told Teesside Coroner's Court that his investigations showed that the coach driver, Alan Little, had wandered on to the wrong side of the road while overtaking a tractor.
Mr Little told police officers he did not realise he had gone over the white line.
Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest on Friday.
Mr Little, of Ravenscroft Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, has been charged with driving without due care and attention and is due to appear before magistrates in Guisborough on Thursday.
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