Accidental verdict in Headley ford death (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Accidental verdict in Headley ford death

2:25pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Local By Chris Gregory

THE drowning of a mental health tribunal judge at a north Hampshire ford was an “appalling tragedy”, an inquest heard.

Jonathan Gammon, 52, from Teddington, died when he became trapped in a car that attempted to cross Headley ford, on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, on Monday, April 30.

The car was swept downstream by the River Enborne and became submerged by water. His wife, Priscilla Turner, who was driving the car, managed to escape but Mr Gammon could not.

Andrew Bradley, coroner for North East Hampshire, recorded a verdict of accidental death at an inquest held this morning at Alton Magistrates’ Court.

He added that drivers who were still attempting to cross the ford, despite its closure since the death, were “foolish and ill-advised”.

After the inquest, Mrs Turner said: “Jonathan was a hard-working individual who actively engaged with the community and would want the problem of Headley ford resolved to ensure a similar tragedy could never occur again.”

For more on this story, see The Gazette on Thursday.