A NEW Forest pensioner died in hospital ten days after a crash in which her husband, an undiagnosed dementia sufferer, ploughed into the side of a van.

An inquest heard that 95-year-old Leonard Miller was later diagnosed with the condition, and that his licence would have been revoked if it was known.

Vera Rose Miller, 91, who was in the front passenger seat, suffered multiple injuries from the collision in Milford Road, Everton, and died from bronchopneumonia on March 16.

The inquest was shown dashcam footage from a vehicle that was behind Mr and Mrs Miller’s car at the time.

The couple had been driving back to their home in Charnock Close, Hordle.

Their black Nissan Qashqai hit the yellow Volkswagen Crafter, which was waiting at the junction to join the road from the B3058, at around 10.55am.

Investigative officer PC David Parkinson told Winchester Coroner’s Court how all three people involved in the collision, including the driver of the van, were taken to hospital.

He said: “It appeared that Mr Miller experienced some sort of medical episode at the wheel, as he did not seem to attempt to steer the car around the corner, and ultimately mounted the grass verge before hitting the car.

“He was later diagnosed with dementia. Leonard would have had his licence revoked if this was previously known.

“Mrs Miller suffered from whiplash and other injuries.”

Mr Miller has since died ‘from natural causes’, and was unable to give a statement before his death, the inquest heard.

Senior Coroner Grahame Short concluded that Mrs Miller died from a road traffic incident.

He said: “Mr Miller was not in full control of the vehicle. Mrs Miller died as a result of the consequences of the injuries she sustained.”

Addressing Mrs Miller’s son and daughter in the public gallery, he added: “I give you both my sympathy, it must have been very difficult.”