A PENSIONER who drove the wrong way up M5 before crashing had become confused as a result of a lung infection and died of pneumonia in hospital four days later, an inquest has heard.

On August 30 last year, Graham Teesdale, 83, had been driving from his home in Rushden, Northamptonshire to see family in Devon when he was involved in the crash, the inquest heard.

PC Richard Hignett, collision investigator at Avon and Somerset Police, told the inquest at Taunton Coroner’s Court that Mr Teesdale had left the M5 travelling southbound at Taunton Deane services.

PC Hignett said Mr Teesdale rejoined the M5 travelling southbound, but quickly pulled into the hard shoulder, and was then seen on CCTV turning his blue Vauxhall Vectra 90 degrees to face traffic.

Mr Teesdale then indicated right, drove out onto M5 and started travelling northbound in lane three of the southbound carriageway, PC Hignett said.

He drove at around 60mph against oncoming traffic for between six and ten minutes, before causing two crashes involving eight cars, the second of which saw his car seriously damaged, and come to a stop.

The inquest heard Mr Teesdale was rushed to Musgrove Park Hospital and on September 1 received surgery for a broken leg but his condition deteriorated after that.

He died the day after.

Dr Stephen Holwill of Musgrove Park Hospital conducted the post mortem and gave the cause of death as pneumonia.

Dr Holwill said Mr Teesdale was admitted to the hospital with a broken leg, and had a history of chronic kidney disease and was suffering from a lung infection.

Dr Holwill said: "It was this that caused the gentleman to be confused. Having suffered trauma, it was this gentleman’s lack of reserves that caused his death.”

The crash caused lengthy delays for drivers after authorities closed the road off for several hours as a huge clean-up operation took place.

Senior coroner for Somerset Tony Williams read a number of witness statements from drivers on the M5 involved in the incident.

The first crash involved three cars colliding as they swerved to avoid Mr Teesdale in the outside lane. The second crash saw Mr Teesdale clip one car before careering into a police car.

Some of drivers of the other cars reported sustaining whiplash and minor bruising but all were expected to make full recoveries, Mr Williams added.

Witnesses added Mr Teesdale seemed unaware that he was driving the wrong way, and was unfazed by oncoming headlights and horns.

Gillian McDowell, Mr Teesdale’s daughter said: “He used to drive to Devon three or four times each year to stay with my mother for about 10 days. He was very indepedent and capable despite his age. He lived on his own.”

Although he normally planned trips to Devon well in advance, Mr Teesdale had received a letter from his doctor referring him to a consultant psychiatrist which had caused to to become agitated and make the trip south, the inquest heard.

Mrs McDowell spoke to him at 12.30pm on the day of his crash. She said: “He was concerned as he felt his privacy was being invaded. He didn’t know why they were coming to see him and he couldn’t understand what it was all about."

Tony Williams, senior coroner for Somerset, recorded a narrative verdict and said there was evidence to suggest the lung infection was present for a number of days.

Mr Williams added: “The fact he was travelling for that long makes it seem as if he was oblivious.

“The extent of damage to his car was substantial."