A GRANDMOTHER died following a crash on the A303 near Popham Beacons after her son-in-law may have blacked out at the wheel, an inquest heard.

Sheila Reeves, of Marlborough, Wiltshire, was a passenger in Nicholas Guppy's Volvo estate when he swerved off the road on April 18 this year.

The 75-year-old died two days after the accident in Basingstoke hospital from a combination of her head and chest injuries and pneumonia.

Mr Guppy - who is now in a wheelchair as a result of the accident - was driving Mrs Reeves from his home in London to her house in Marlborough when the accident happened shortly before 6pm on the stretch of the A303 nearest Micheldever train station.

Mr Guppy tried to overtake a Renault Laguna, but lost control. The Volvo then rolled before landing on its roof in a field.

The inquest heard Mr Guppy, who could not remember what had happened, had been suffering from flu prior to the accident and had been taking medication.

Winchester coroner Grahame Short said Mr Guppy may have been distracted or fallen unconscious as he tried to overtake the Renault.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Short told the family: "This is clearly a double tragedy for you.

"As well as the death of Mrs Reeves, Mr Guppy has suffered serious injuries which will incapacitate him for the rest of his life.

"I think this is something that must be every family's nightmare."