A 25-YEAR-OLD farm worker died after veering onto the wrong side of the road and colliding with a lorry, an inquest heard.
Ryan Hindson, of Warcop, was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash on Saturday April 9 2022.
Emergency services were called to the incident, which took place on the A66 near Warcop, at 3.20pm.
Paramedics pronounced Mr Hindson dead ten minutes later.
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Dashcam footage retrieved from the collision investigation report found that Mr Hindson was driving on the correct side of the road two seconds before the impact.
However, seconds later, his Subaru is seen to swerve towards the wrong side of the road, crossing the white lines and driving towards the lorry, the inquest heard.
The report found the lorry driver reacted in an appropriate manner and it was not possible for him to stop in time, the inquest heard.
The lorry driver provided a negative drug and drink test and had not been using his phone at the time of the collision.
No mechanical defects were found in either vehicle which could have contributed to the collision.
A toxicology report found cocaine and cocaine metabolites in Mr Hindson's blood at the time of his death.
The hearing was told that it is likely the presence of cocaine would have had an adverse effect on his cognitive function and driving ability.
A post-mortem examination found significant injuries to his skull and brain and a medical cause of death was given as head injury.
Mr Hindson lived in Appleby up to being a teenager before moving to Warcop. He worked on several farms in the area and was passionate about agriculture.
In tribute his family said: "Ryan was a larger than life character who made a big impression wherever he went, he loved nothing more than winding his family up and having great banter with everyone.
"He has left a massive hole in his family and the community.”
Coroner Robert Cohen concluded a death caused by a road traffic collision.
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