A COUPLE have spoken of the helplessness that they felt when a female driver died after pulling out in front of their Jaguar.

Arthur and Jean Wappat were travelling along the A68, near Toft Hill, County Durham, when Edna Vitty drove out of a junction into the path of their car, an inquest heard yesterday.

Mrs Vitty, 64, of Middlehope Grove, Bishop Auckland, died from multiple injuries following the accident at lunchtime on December 5, last year.

Mr Wappat, who was driving the Jaguar, told the inquest at Bishop Auckland: "I do remember going up the bank and seeing a vehicle on the Witton-le-Wear turn.

"I don't think I gave it a second thought, and then all of a sudden I saw this car and thought it was not going to stop. I remember in a split second feeling I didn't have a chance of doing anything."

Mrs Vitty's Astra spun around three times after the impact before it came to rest.

A driver from the car behind, Malcolm Cooper, ran to help her but found she had no pulse.

The Wappats were taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital, where they were treated for shock.

The inquest heard that both cars were in sound working order and neither driver had consumed any alcohol.

At the hearing, the family of Mrs Vitty said they did not hold the couple "in any way" responsible for the accident.

Darlington and South West Durham Coroner Colin Penna recorded a verdict of accidental death.