Death mast 'swung out like joust'

Sarah James died of serious head injuries

A 19-year-old woman died after the mast of a boat swung out like a "medieval joust" as she was being driven along a Worcestershire road, a court heard.

Sarah James, of Highley, Shropshire, was in a car when she was hit on the head by the mast of the boat being towed by another car.

She died the day after the incident in Dowles Road, Bewdley, in June 2008.

Mark Tissiman, 47, of Kidderminster Road, Bewdley, denies the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Prosecutor Peter Arnold told Hereford Crown Court that Mr Tissiman had been towing his dingy from Chelmarsh Reservoir.

Mr Arnold said Mr Tissiman had failed to secure the mast sufficiently which came loose and struck the oncoming car in which Miss James had been a passenger.

She died from serious head injuries in Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital.

The hearing continues.