AN elderly couple died in a road crash on the North York Moors after the man was taken ill at the wheel of his car and crashed into a van, an inquest at Scarborough was told.

Verdicts of accidental death were recorded on Frederick Wootton, 79, a retired diesel fitter, and his wife Lilian, 76, a retired book-keeper, of Runcorn Avenue, Stockton, who were killed when their car went out of control near the village of Hawnby, last November.

Dr Alan Jackson, consultant pathologist at Scarborough General Hospital, said Mr Wootton died from chest injuries, while Mrs Wootton died from multiple injuries.

Their family told North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley that Mr Wootton was a good driver and knew the road well.

Traffic constable Timothy Alderson said Mr and Mrs Wootton had been travelling towards Helmsley when their car went off the road at a bend and collided with a Ford transit van parked off the road.

"Mr Wootton was not braking when the crash happened," said TC Alderson.

David Monahan said he was working at the road side when he heard the car coming and there was a loud explosion as it collided with his van.

Mr Oakley said the most significant evidence had been the medical reports.

"Mr Wootton had clearly suffered an aneurysm, which may have been terminal in any event," he said.