On November 16, 2016, Victor ‘Vic’ Comley, an 83-year-old resident of Wantage, tragically lost his life after being struck by a VW van on Charlton Road. The incident occurred as he was returning home from The Bear Hotel, a place he frequented. Known for having a routine of enjoying two pints before taking the bus home around 5:20 pm, Comley was a familiar face at the local pub.
On the evening of the accident, Comley, dressed in dark clothing, got off the bus near Charlton Park garden centre. CCTV footage revealed that he attempted to cross the road at a slight angle to reach his house on the opposite side. Mark Goodwin, the VW van driver, was headed towards Wantage town centre and traveling below the 30mph speed limit. He recalled seeing a figure step out about a metre in front of his vehicle. Despite braking, he couldn’t prevent the collision.
Goodwin expressed deep regret over the incident, noting how he repeatedly questioned whether anything more could have been done to avoid the accident. Following the collision, retired bricklayer Comley sustained a cut to his head from falling to the ground. However, the head injury alone was not the cause of death. A post-mortem examination by Professor Ian Roberts, a Home Office pathologist, determined that Comley experienced a cardiac arrhythmia triggered by a concussion, exacerbated by underlying ischemic heart disease.
PC Murray McLean, the crash investigator, highlighted that poor road conditions that evening likely contributed to Comley’s inability to accurately judge the speed or distance of oncoming traffic. Witnesses recognized Comley by his distinctive gait, which resulted from previous knee surgeries. Well-known in the Wantage community, his GP described him as a regular walker who would be greatly missed.
Senior Coroner Darren Salter extended his sympathies to Comley’s family and concluded the inquest with a verdict of death by road traffic collision.
Comley’s passing serves as a reminder of the importance of cautious road use, especially under challenging conditions. For resources supporting safer communities or to explore various organizations in Wantage, you can visit our Support Groups and Services directory. Additionally, if you are a local business or organization, consider creating a free directory profile to connect with the local community.
