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A classic motoring enthusiast was crushed to death under his sports car as he worked in his garage. The wife of John Philip Waterson returned home to make the tragic discovery of his body, an inquest heard. The small sports car had been kept at his home in Langton, near Darlington, Co Durham, for 10 years when it “unknowingly collapsed” onto him. The 65-year-old was left with fatal head and chest injuries and died at the scene. His wife Amanda found him in the garage when she returned home on June 23 this year, the coroners' court in Crook, Co Durham, heard. In a statement she described how she left the house around 9.30 am on what was a "normal day". She said: "I returned from work around 3pm and entered the back door, I had gone into the garage to find him. I entered the garage and found John and immediately called for an ambulance." Amanda described John as“well-respected by friends and colleagues”. Everyone who knew him was “shocked and sad” after the 'terrible accident'. She continued: "I did not know exactly what he was working on but it was something he was doing to the car." Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service watch manager Tony Hardy said in his statement that they arrived to find a “classic sports car resting on top of an adult male”. James Thompson, the area's assistant coroner, said he understood the car had been hoisted up. “It would appear the vehicle was lifted by means of the jack and supports with axle stands. Upon arrival, these devices were not underneath”, he added. The fire officer said the jack was near but not under the car." An entire fire service crew lifted the vehicle up to get access to John in a bid to save him. Tragically, he was pronounced dead by a Great North Air Ambulance doctor at 3.30pm. Pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper described John’s cause of death as crush injuries to the head and chest. However, he noted the most significant injury was to his heart. He had no drink or drugs in his system at the time. Concluding, Mr Thompson said it cannot be established how the vehicle stopped being supported and fell onto John. “It must have become dislodged in some way to allow the vehicle to fall on him”, he said. John’s death was formally recorded as crush injuries to the head and chest after his vehicle, for reasons unknown, collapsed onto him. The vehicle was described as a 'small sports car' but the make and model of the vehicle was not given. Mr Thompson described it as the “very definition of a tragic accident”. There was no one at the property where the tragic accident happened today. It boasts a large garage, where Mr Waterson worked on his vehicles. A neighbour said: 'It was a terrible accident. He had lots of cars. I couldn't tell you which car he was under. He was a very helpful person and a good friend.' Posting on Facebook , David Whitehurst Racing, also wrote: 'Very sad to hear of the passing of John Waterson recently. "Very tragic circumstances and very unexpected. God Speed John, thinking of you and your family."
