Heart condition killed driver (From Gazette Series)

Heart condition killed driver

A MAN collapsed and died at the wheel of his car from a mystery condition which caused his heart to stop on Hallowe'en night, an inquest heard on Friday

Eugene Rennebach, 37, of Meadow Vale, Cam, was found slumped with the ignition and lights on and his feet on the clutch and brake pedals. The car was in second gear.

He was one of about five Gloucestershire people a year who become victims of sudden cardiac death syndrome, said pathologist Dr Jeremy Uff at the Gloucester inquest.

Coroner Alan Crickmore recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Edwin Sim, of Station Road, Berkeley, described how he was walking along wearing a Hallowe'en costume and 'death mask' near his home when he saw a car stationary with its headlights on.

"As I had a mask on, which I would politely call a 'death mask', I slowly approached the vehicle," he stated.

"I could see a male person slumped inside towards the centre of the vehicle. The window on the driver's side was slightly open.

"I spoke and shone my torch but got no response. I shone my torch into his eyes and his pupils did not dilate.

"I got no reaction from him whatsoever so I sent my children away and called the police."

PC George Sharpe said checked for signs of life and there were none.

Robert Rennebach said his brother had moved to Cam from Gloucester 9-10 years ago and settled down with his partner, Theresa.

"He was devoted to her. She suffered from illness and he gave up work and looked after her permanently. He went to drop a friend of the family off in Berkeley.

"He was as fit as a fiddle, hardly drank, did smoke occasionally and had a persistent cough but apart from that had not seen a doctor for two-to-three years."

A report from Mr Rennebach's GP practice said he was fit and well and, although he smoked heavily, he had been trying to give up for about two years.

Dr Uff said he could find no physical cause for cardiac arrest, adding: "This is a case of sudden cardiac death syndrome, where the heart stops beating but the cause is not really understood."

The coroner said he believed Mr Rennebach was probably driving when he was "overtaken by a catastrophic event" and the car came to a halt.