Lad killed in A65 crash who was worried about dentist ‘veered’ into …

The lives of two much-loved young people were tragically cut short in a road traffic collision described by a coroner as a "combined tragedy of gigantic proportions."

University student Oliver Louis Knott, 21, and hospital medic Maisie Jade Ryan, 27, who were in separate cars, lost their lives on the A65 Addingham bypass^[1] on the morning of February 18, 2021.

An inquest into their deaths heard that Bradford-born Oliver was in a black Ford Fiesta on the way to the dentist from Ilkley to Shipley when he overtook traffic and 'inadvertently encroached' into the opposite carriageway and hit an oncoming Scania livestock transporter.

The Scania's steering was destroyed and the driver, Anna Robinson, who suffered several broken bones, was unable to prevent the vehicle from colliding with a Volvo heavy goods vehicle and then a Fiat 500 driven by Maisie Ryan.

Both Oliver and Maisie died at the scene. A second vehicle, a white Ford Fiesta, was damaged by flying debris. Maisie, of Headingley, Leeds, had been driving to work at Airedale Hospital.

Maisie was described by her parents Paul and Lorraine as a "caring, selfless and driven young woman" who had wanted to be a doctor since she was 11. She was described as very sociable and a fan of singing and dancing.

Oliver was described by his dad Craig as polite, sociable, charismatic and with a great sense of humour. He had played football for Thackley Juniors and went on to study geography at Liverpool University.

Driver Lauren Richardson, who witnessed the collision, said the black Fiesta - driven by Oliver - had 'suddenly veered' over a solid white line and into the opposite lane which she said happened "suddenly without warning and without reason."

Post mortem examinations revealed that both Maisie and Oliver died from multiple injuries.

The inquest heard that Oliver had a history of mental health problems and hadn't been sleeping well for around four days before the tragic crash, although there was nothing to suggest had had suffered a medical episode.

In 2020, he had reported a low mood, admitted to taking cocaine regularly and had been prescribed the antidepressant sertraline.

Toxicology tests following his death showed that he had stopped taking the antidepressant and neither cocaine nor alcohol were found in his system.

Oliver's dad told the hearing that his son had been subject to disciplinary action at university in February/March 2019 which "ran for 16 months" until it concluded mid-September and Oliver was allowed to complete his final year.

He said Oliver had not mentioned his mental health during his final two visits to his doctor.

Coroner Martin Fleming said that Oliver was getting support and that he had "turned a corner and improved."

Mr Knott said there were no 'red flags' on the morning his son had left home to visit the dentist, although he said Oliver was worried about 'needles and blood'. He said his son was a "typical lad of his age."

After the collision, a glass pot containing paracetamol and ibuprofen were found under Oliver's bed and traces of cocaine and ketamine were found in his wallet, although there was no suggestion he had taken any drugs or alcohol prior to the crash.

Examination of his laptop found numerous internet searches in the months before the collision relating to depression. Searches had also been made around suicide and painkillers.

Mr Fleming asked Detective Constable Martin Burns if there was any evidence of "dark thoughts around motor vehicles" to which the officer replied 'no'.

Robert Crispin, forensic collision investigator with West Yorkshire Police, there was no evidence to suggest Oliver's driving was 'untoward' before the impact.

He said Oliver's Fiesta had 'encroached' into the opposite lane but there was no evidence to say why this had happened.

He said: "The cause of the collision rests with the Fiesta driver who encroached into the opposite lane. The reason is unclear from the physical evidence available."

Mr Fleming said the reason Oliver had gone into the opposing lane was unclear. He said Oliver had struggled with a depression but this had been for a limited period of time. He said Oliver had not left a note about taking his life and there were no 'red flags'.

"There does not appear to be anything picked up from his family that he was harbouring dark thoughts. He was making plans for the future. There is no evidence deliberately made the manoeuvre.

"It is possible he may have been distracted or his mind might have been elsewhere."

Mr Fleming said Oliver's 'inadvertence' had led to the loss of two lives.

"It is a combined tragedy of gigantic proportions."

He added: "It is the loss of two young promising individuals with so much ahead of them. It is so very difficult to reconcile. I am so very sorry."

References

1. ^{^} lost their lives on the A65 Addingham bypass (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Nicola Bulley died 'in seconds' after scream heard by two women, inquest told (www.examinerlive.co.uk)