A RYEDALE pensioner lost control of his car after it clipped a grass verge, an inquest heard.

Kenneth Robinson, 73, a retired refuse collector of Church Lane, Thornton-le-Dale, died when his Rover car careered into the path of a VW being driven by a soldier, Daniel Bean, now with the Royal Tank Regiment in Iraq.

In a statement Mr Bean said: "I couldn't avoid a collision. He took the corner too fast and lost control." The accident happened on an unclassified road between High Marishes and Thornton-le-Dale. "The car veered in front of me," said Mr Bean.

Mr Robinson died from multiple injuries. PC David Taylor said the car had hit the verge on a bend and Mr Robinson had over-steered, but been unable to regain control. The officer said the accident was down to driver error rather than speed.

North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Updated: 11:13 Thursday, June 12, 2003