Drink-driver killed six in crash

Six people were unlawfully killed in Gloucestershire when a drink-driver crashed head-on into another car.

An inquest heard that Jason Brain, 35, "dangerously" overtook a car on the A429 in March and hit a VW Passat travelling in the opposite direction.

Brain was killed along with six others including his daughter, Natasha, 14.

A verdict of accidental death on Brain was recorded at Gloucester Shire Hall. Unlawful killing verdicts were recorded on the six other victims.

'Dangerous and selfish'

Speaking after the inquest, Sgt Colin Ford, of Gloucestershire Police, said the deaths were due to Brain's "dangerous and selfish" actions.

"This incident resulted in a loss of life that was unprecedented for any road traffic collision in Gloucestershire.

"Jason Brain was over the legal drink-drive limit by some margin and travelling too fast when he decided to perform an overtaking manoeuvre going into a blind bend," he said.

Brain, of Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire, was driving a Peugeot 306, which hit a VW Passat head-on.

Margaret Kirby, 61; John Kirby, 63, and Julie Kirby, 34, were killed along with Michola Jones, 31, and Ryan Bott, 20.

Tina Stone, the mother of two young children who survived the crash, said: "Today's verdict has helped bring some closure for our family."

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