Overview
- On October 15, 2024, the silver Kia carrying Clare Laskey and her partner hit standing water on the A30 near Whiddon Down, aquaplaned and rolled onto its roof while they were driving to Bristol Airport.
- At the July 27–28, 2026 inquest, coroner Alison Longhorn concluded the death was a road traffic collision after viewing the truck dashcam and hearing witness testimony that Laskey was trying to climb out when she was struck.
- The driver of a 40-tonne Scania told the inquest he encountered heavy rain, high winds and an unlit carriageway, saw a man waving but did not see the car's lights and had no time to avoid the collision.
- Medical evidence presented at the inquest showed Laskey suffered chest and lower-limb wounds and multiple fractures and was pronounced dead at the scene, while her partner was treated in hospital and later discharged.
- Aquaplaning on standing water can cause sudden loss of control and rollovers, and the case highlights how poor visibility, unlit rural roads and the long stopping distances of heavy vehicles can turn a single crash into a fatal collision.