Golfer killed in car crash
By Dan Grimmer on Thursday, 19th July 2001.
FRIENDS of a popular golf professional watched in horror as he lost control of his car and was killed as it somersaulted into a ditch.
A Cambridge inquest heard how Simon Mayfield, 40, died of multiple injuries sustained in the crash at The Common in West Wratting on Saturday, January 27.
Just hours earlier, publisher Peter Lewis had been chatting to Mr Mayfield, whom he had known for 20 years, at Haverhill Golf Club.
Mr Mayfield, of Old Hall, West Wratting, had taught at Haverhill Golf Club for around 14 years and had done much to promote women's golf, the inquest heard.
After leaving the club just after 5.30pm, Mr Lewis and Andrew Williams were driving home when they were overtaken by a Peugeot 306, which they later realised was Mr Mayfield's.
After the car completed its manoeuvre it began to move to the left side of the road but clipped the grass verge and shot into the air, Mr Lewis said.
He saw it plunge into the ditch and somersault twice before coming to rest.
Mr Lewis rushed to the car and reached in to grab the driver's hand but could feel no pulse. It was only when the body was placed on a stretcher after the ambulance crew arrived that he knew for sure it was his friend.
There was no significant alcohol level in Mr Mayfield's blood and crash investigator Pc Chris Breeze said it appeared he had lost control of the car.
He added Mr Mayfield was not wearing a seatbelt, although he could not say if this would have made any difference to the injuries he received.
Coroner David Morris recorded a verdict of accidental death.
A Cambridge inquest heard how Simon Mayfield, 40, died of multiple injuries sustained in the crash at The Common in West Wratting on Saturday, January 27.
Just hours earlier, publisher Peter Lewis had been chatting to Mr Mayfield, whom he had known for 20 years, at Haverhill Golf Club.
Mr Mayfield, of Old Hall, West Wratting, had taught at Haverhill Golf Club for around 14 years and had done much to promote women's golf, the inquest heard.
After leaving the club just after 5.30pm, Mr Lewis and Andrew Williams were driving home when they were overtaken by a Peugeot 306, which they later realised was Mr Mayfield's.
After the car completed its manoeuvre it began to move to the left side of the road but clipped the grass verge and shot into the air, Mr Lewis said.
He saw it plunge into the ditch and somersault twice before coming to rest.
Mr Lewis rushed to the car and reached in to grab the driver's hand but could feel no pulse. It was only when the body was placed on a stretcher after the ambulance crew arrived that he knew for sure it was his friend.
There was no significant alcohol level in Mr Mayfield's blood and crash investigator Pc Chris Breeze said it appeared he had lost control of the car.
He added Mr Mayfield was not wearing a seatbelt, although he could not say if this would have made any difference to the injuries he received.
Coroner David Morris recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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