An 82-year-old died after being hit by a speeding motorist as he crossed the road outside his Thornton Heath home, an inquest heard last Thursday, writes Patrick Bruce.

Life-long Crystal Palace fan, Douglas True died on May 21 last year when he tried to cross Grove Road, a residential road where he had lived with his wife for 50 years.

Despite being given oxygen by some passing firefighters and airlifted to Mayday Hospital, Mr True died of multiple injuries sustained in the accident, which took place just before 6pm.

Investigating officer, PC Gary Lawrence, told the inquest that, though the road had a speed limit of 30 mph, he estimated the Renault Clio that hit Mr True was travelling at 33-38mph, adding: "I'd expect the speed to be towards the upper range of that."

He said: "I think it's fair to say that had he been travelling at 30mph or less, he would have been able to stop without hitting Mr True." PC Lawrence said he thought a safe travelling speed for the road, which had cars parked on both sides, was 20-25mph.

At his funeral, friends and family gave the Eagles-crazy former shipping broker (who was a well-known figure at the club) a fitting tribute by wearing ties in the club's famous red and blue colours, instead of the traditional black.

Jemeziah Lane, 22, the driver of the car that hit Mr True, told the inquest that he stumbled as he stepped out, and that he had tried to brake when he saw him.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner, Roy Palmer, said: "We still don't quite know why it hit Mr True except that in the opinion of the police officer the car was going too fast."

January 29, 2003 13:00