Three killed in head-on crash (From Gazette Series)

Three killed in head-on crash

THREE people died and a motorcyclist was subsequently arrested following an horrific head-on crash on the A38 on Saturday.

The accident happened near Cambridge around 6pm and involved three cars.

The Gloucester coroner opened inquests on Wednesday and named one of the dead as Jonathan Smart, a 29-year-old man from Severn Road, Cam. He had been identified by his father, David Smart.

The two other fatalities, who were the driver and passenger in one of the vehicles, were named as Alfred Parker, 77, and his wife, Nellie, who also goes by the name of Joyce, 79, from Horfield, Bristol.

Mr Parker was identified by his son, Royston Parker, while Mrs Parker was identified by her son, Derek Tonkin.

The inquests were then adjourned by coroner Alan Crickmore until a date to be confirmed.

The couple were travelling in a Rover 214 car and the man in a white Vauxhall Cavalier.

The motorcycle, the Cavalier and a red Seat Ibiza were all travelling towards Gloucester when the Cavalier and the southbound travelling Rover collided head-on.

The Seat was also involved but the occupants escaped without series injury.

Police arrested a 25-year-old Stroud motorcyclist on Monday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The man has been released on police bail pending further inquiries and will report back to police on February 14.

A passenger in the Rover, a 43-year-old man, who was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital has now been discharged.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the white Cavalier or the motorcycle in the moments leading up to the accident to contact them.

In particular they have appealed for a woman who contacted Crimestoppers anonymously with information to get in touch with police on 0845 0901234.