Elderly motorist, 80, who caused a horror smash that killed three when he drove the wrong way down the M40 had a deadly brain cancer which caused confusion in his mind, inquest hears

A pensioner who killed three people when he drove the wrong way on the M40 towing a caravan had undiagnosed brain cancer and was probably confused, an inquest heard.

John Norton, 80, who had been travelling from High Wycombe to see friends in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, had been acting strangely in the days before the crash and been involved in another collision, Oxford Coroner's Court was told today.

Three people died in the horrific head-on collision when his car towing a caravan travelled at a speed of 60 to 70mph, four miles the wrong way down the motorway, near Oxford, on October 15 last year.

His companion Olive Howard, 87, and the driver of a Ford Mondeo, Stuart Richards, 32, from Stockport, died in the crash, which occurred in the overtaking lane.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6912153/Elderly-motorist-80-caused-smash-killed-three-deadly-brain-cancer.html

One reason why the medical records of older drivers should be more carefully examined before the driving licence is automatically renewed every three years.

Syl wrote:One reason why the medical records of older drivers  should be more carefully examined before the driving licence is automatically renewed every three years.

Something should be done at that age. There were signs he wasn't right.

HoratioTarr wrote:

Syl wrote:One reason why the medical records of older drivers  should be more carefully examined before the driving licence is automatically renewed every three years.

Something should be done at that age.    There were signs he wasn't right.  

Yes, not many age related illnesses come on overnight. It's up to the person themselves to declare if their health has deteriorated, and obviously many dont even realise it has.