By Sheila Mckenzie-
An 89-year-old man who died after a crash on the new Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass was unaware of a round about ahead, it was revealed today.
George Wilson Stewart, from Rhos-on-Sea, was driving along the A487 when he crashed at the Cibyn/Llanrug roundabout on April 5, 2022
Officers were called to a report that fateful morning of a single-vehicle crash on the A487 at the Cibyn/Llanrug roundabout which involved a white Mazda 2 car with a 17 registration plate.
The driver, 89-year-old George Wilson Stewart from Rhos-on-Sea, was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor by ambulance, but sadly died of his injuries in hospital.
An inquest into Mr Stewart’s death, held in Caernarfon heard he continued driving in a straight line and failed to negotiate the roundabout in his white Mazda 2, oblivious of the fatal danger he faced.
He travelled across the road and over the roundabout before crossing the road onto the opposite side and crashing through a fence where the car then came to rest in a ditch..
An eye witness to the accident, Jane Puttinger, who had overtaken Mr Stewart shortly before the crash, said in a statement which was read out during the inquest that she believed he was travelling at around 50mph when he failed to stop.
Ms Puttinger, a retired doctor, said: “I slowed by the roundabout on the inside lane when all of a sudden a Mazda shot passed me doing 40mph to 50mph, if not faster.
“It was shocking to see on a roundabout. I didn’t notice any break lights and he was going at a fair speed.”
Ms Puttinger said she got out of her car and carried out a rough assessment on Mr Stewart, who had also left his vehicle. She added: “He told me it was a new road and he was unfamiliar with it and didn’t realise there was a roundabout coming up.
“He said he felt very lucky that he had not injuried himself or anyone else. He was really shocked.”
Mr Stewart, a father of two, was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd, in Bangor, by ambulance. Sadly, his condition deteriorated and he died of his injuries at midnight on April 6.
News of his death shocked his neighbourhood, many of whom saw him as a polite nice gentleman who lived a quite life.
One of his neighbours. Marcia Ahtwood, 64 told The Eye Of Media.Com: ”its so sad and such shocking news. George was a quite and polite man, who minded his business and was nice to everyone. It’s just so sad he lost his life thi way”