A motorist has described the 'split second' the driver killed in a crash on the A146 'just appeared' in his lane on two wheels before the collision which resulted in the car flipping on its roof.
Karl Plant died from multiple head injuries after the grey Citroen C1 he was driving was involved in a three vehicle crash on the A146 near Thurton at about 4.55pm on June 25 this year.
An inquest into the death of Mr Plant, who lived in Loddon with his partner Tony Greening but who had an antique stall at Looses in Norwich, heard from witnesses who said the 39-year-old had been heading towards Loddon but appeared not to see traffic slowing ahead of him.
Mr Plant hit the car in front before then crashing with a white van heading in the opposite direction and his car ended up on its roof.
Giving evidence Stuart Brannigan, the driver of a Ford Transit tipper, said: 'I heard a noise to my right handside and in a split second a silver vehicle appeared in my lane. He just appeared on two wheels as if he had hit the car in front. I managed to hit the brakes and swerved to the left and then there was an impact.'
Toxicology results showed the presence of cannabis in Mr Plant's blood which the inquest heard could affect perceptions of space and time and impair ability to drive up to 24 hours after use.
A police investigation concluded that the drugs in Mr Plant's system 'may have impaired his ability to judge the speed of vehicles in front'.
Assistant coroner Johanna Thompson concluded Mr Plant died as a concequence of a road traffic collision and extended her sympathies to his family. Do you have a story? Email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk
Tribute to Karl Plant
Karl Plant has been described as a 'wonderful' son, brother, partner, uncle and cousin who was 'fun-loving' and only wanted to make everyone he met laugh.
Speaking after the inquest, his family including sister Linda and mother Eileen, said he was a 'lively' and 'amazing' character who packed 70 years of life into just 39 years. They also wanted to thank all who stopped after the crash and the emergency services for their efforts.
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