More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A Sheppey mum who died when her car veered into the wrong lane while on the school run was ‘most likely’ distracted by her phone, an inquest heard.
Charlotte Buesden was killed after her Nissan Qashqai collided with the front of a HGV along the Swale Way at Kemsley on August 23.
The 28-year-old had just dropped her son off at school.
DC Bob Fursey told the hearing Ms Buesden’s car had swayed into oncoming traffic at 7.30am and the lorry driver had no chance of avoiding a collision.
He said her phone was found on the dashboard, alongside a magnetic phone clip, with an error message displaying on the ITV Hub.
The phone had disconnected from an episode of Love Island, but there was no evidence of her sending messages or using data just before the collision.
DC Fursey added: “It is suggested she may have been distracted by watching Love Island by looking at or reaching for her phone.”
“The reason for the loss of control from Ms Buesden’s car is not explained, but she was distracted from steering, and this most likely came from being distracted by her phone.”
One witness, who was two cars behind Ms Buesden’s Nissan, explained seeing the car approach a slight bend but, instead of steering, stayed straight and began to “veer into the wrong lane”, before the crash.
PC Duncan Swallow, forensic collision officer, told the court dashcam footage from the HGV lorry was poor, but appeared to show Ms Buesden, of Alma Road, Sheerness, looking in the direction and extending her arm in the direction of where her phone would’ve been mounted.
He concluded there was no weather conditions which would’ve played a part in the accident and it appears she may have been distracted by her phone.
Ms Buesden suffered a severe fracture of the skull and coroner Bina Patel’s official verdict was that her death was due to a road traffic collision.
Following the tragedy more than 40 bunches of flowers, messages and even a small bottle of Prosecco were left in her memory.
One friend, Fran, wrote: “You are too young, too beautiful and too kind to be gone. You are part of all my fun times. I have so many amazing memories of you I will treasure forever.
“You were an amazing mummy. I so wish we had more time together, more laughs, jokes and love but it’s been so cruelly taken away.
“I will never forget you and I will love you always.”
A Facebook memorial has also been dedicated to her. It reads: “We hope that people who love Charlotte will find comfort in visiting her profile to remember and celebrate her life.”
