A devoted enthusiast of classic cars tragically lost his life when his sports car collapsed on him while he was working in his garage. John Philip Waterson’s spouse discovered his body upon returning home to their residence in Langton, near Darlington, Co Durham, where the incident occurred. The small sports car, which had been stored at their home for a decade, unexpectedly fell on him, resulting in fatal head and chest injuries that led to his immediate death.
The 65-year-old victim was found by his wife Amanda in the garage on June 23, after she returned from work at around 3pm. Amanda, deeply saddened by the accident, mentioned that John was highly respected by his acquaintances and colleagues. She expressed shock and sorrow over the tragic event, stating that she was unaware of his specific task on the car that day. Emergency services were alerted, and upon arrival, they found the classic sports car resting on top of John.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the vehicle had been lifted using a jack and supports with axle stands, but these devices were not in place when the accident occurred. Firefighters had to lift the car to access John, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance at 3.30pm.
The pathologist’s report confirmed that John succumbed to crush injuries to his head and chest, with the most severe damage being to his heart. The coroner, James Thompson, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances that caused the car to fall, emphasizing that some form of dislodgment must have occurred for the tragic accident to happen.
The official cause of John’s death was determined to be crush injuries sustained when his vehicle collapsed on him for unknown reasons. The car was described as a small sports car without specifying the make and model. Mr. Thompson characterized the incident as a truly tragic accident, offering condolences to the bereaved family.
The property where the unfortunate incident transpired was unoccupied at the time, featuring a spacious garage where Mr. Waterson often worked on his collection of cars. A neighbor expressed sadness over the accident, praising John’s helpful nature and friendship.
In a social media post, David Whitehurst Racing conveyed condolences for John’s sudden passing, acknowledging the unexpected and tragic circumstances surrounding his death. The community mourns the loss of a well-regarded individual and extends thoughts to his family during this difficult time.