A MOTORIST from York who died after a head-on collision near Easingwold had heart problems which could have caused dizziness, an inquest was told.

John Tracey, 59, of Nunthorpe Avenue, died last August following the collision on the A19, two miles north of Shipton-by- Beningbrough.

His silver Rover collided with a black Vauxhall Meriva heading in the opposite direction, driven by Scott Robson, also of York, as the cars were negotiating a bend in the road.

The Press reported at the time that a family of four in the Vauxhall – a man, woman and two children – suffered minor cuts and bruising and were taken by ambulance to York Hospital for treatment.

The road was closed in both directions for about four hours as police examined the crash site and removed the vehicles.

Mr Tracey was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, but died later.

The inquest at Northallerton was told that Mr Tracey’s car crossed into the wrong lane before crashing head-on with the other vehicle. His car had been seen being driven erratically beforehand.

Mr Robson was travelling to a caravan park with his wife and two children when the accident happened.

The inquest heard that medical reports had shown that Mr Tracey had serious heart problems which could have caused dizziness.

Accident investigator PC Paul Davenport said Mr Tracey had not been braking or taking evasive action at the time of the crash.

Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death.