THREE people came to the aid of June Ferguson, the owner of Kerry Vale Vineyard, after she reversed backwards into a hedge in Brompton, near Churchstoke, while not secure in the vehicle.

However, she later died from her injuries in hospital, an inquest heard.

The inquest into the death of Mrs Ferguson, 64, took place on Wednesday, at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

JP Ellery, the coroner, told the inquest that Ms Ferguson had been involved in a road traffic collision at 7.20pm on November 27.

She was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 9.17pm the same day. An hour later her husband, Geoff, who ran the vineyard with her, identified her body.

Mrs Ferguson was driving her husband’s blue Nissan Quashqai and the accident happened on the B4385, close to the crossroads at The Blue Bell Hotel, the inquest was told.

Mr Ellery said that there were no road defects, the road surface was damp and that it was dark when the accident happened.

Her car had reversed backwards into the hedgerow, the inquest heard.

The first three people to find Mrs Ferguson delivered first aid, but they could not explain what had happened and did not present evidence at the inquest.

A police officer who examined the vehicle noted the automatic gearbox, the inquest heard. His conclusion was that her car, near to The Blue Bell Hotel and a post box, had begun to travel in reverse while she was not secure in the vehicle. He said the gearbox was not secured and the parking brake was not applied.

The driver had then fallen underneath the car when the vehicle directed her right towards the hedge, the coroner said.

A post-mortem found that Mrs Ferguson had died from traumatic injuries to her chest and pelvis, the coroner said.

Mr Ellery concluded the death was by road traffic collision.