Fatal driver 'may have fallen asleep'

A driver who died in a car crash on the M11 may have fallen asleep at the wheel, an inquest has heard.

Shane Fendick, 24, of Northamptonshire, lost control of his Renault Clio and spun off the motorway near Ickleton, Cambridgeshire, on 5 December.

His body, which had suffered head injuries, was discovered in the car at 0845 GMT the next morning after police were alerted by a passing motorist.

Recording a verdict of accidental death on Thursday, deputy coroner Dr Colin Lattimore said there was no evidence Mr Fendick had been distracted or using a mobile phone.

His father, Gordon Fendick, told the inquest his son, with whom he lived with in Garston Road, Corby, often worked long hours and was constantly tired.

It's likely some momentary lapse of attention caused him not to take the bend as normal and resulted in tragedy Dr Colin Lattimore Deputy coroner

Mr Fendick had recently been promoted as a driver for Chubb Security at the Asda warehouse in Corby, where he had previously worked as a security officer.

The inquest at Shire Hall, Cambridge heard that at 2235 GMT on 5 December, Mr Fendick had driven to the warehouse to collect a colleague and take him home to Northampton.

He was then expected to drive to a business in Braintree, Essex, before returning home the following morning.

Police Constable Peter Bimson told the inquest: "The evidence is consistent with someone falling asleep at the wheel, then drifting on to the hard shoulder."

Mr Lattimore said: "There is evidence from his (Mr Fendick's) father that he did work long hours and he was from time to time asked to do extra work and he was frequently tired.

"It was late in the evening and it's likely some momentary lapse of attention caused him not to take the bend as normal and resulted in tragedy."

Mr Fendick is survived by his wife Lesley, and 15-month-old daughter Katherine.