last year if he had not been in poor health.

Leon Pike, 72, died two days after veering into a wall and bouncing across Middle Road and smashing into the Garden Market store near Upland Street, Devonshire, on February 20, 1997.

Acting Coroner Archibald Warner told Mr. Pike's widow Joan: "On behalf of myself and the court I would like to convey our deepest condolences.

"This obviously was an unfortunate accident. We don't know the reason why Mr.

Pike lost control of his vehicle. But it is clear he suffered fatal injuries and had he not been in such poor health he may have been able to survive.'' Mr. Warner heard that Mr. Pike was slightly over the yellow line and in the wrong lane while travelling west on Middle Road at 11.15 that morning.

Ricardo Nottingham testified he was riding his motorcycle and parallel to the garden market when he turned to wave at a friend.

He said he turned forward to see Mr. Pike's Hyundai Accent "slightly'' in his lane and approaching at "average'' speed.

Mr. Nottingham said Mr. Pike, of Greenacres Drive, Devonshire, had his right hand on the steering wheel and although he did not see Pike turn the wheel, saw the car turn sharply.

Mr. Nottingham also apologised to Mr. Warner for not staying at last week's hearing because he had become upset at hearing some of the evidence. A warrant had been issued for him to appear.

Sgt. Philip Lewis, a Police accident investigator with ten years experience, said he had examined the site of the accident and had concluded Mr. Pike's car had been over the centreline before veering into the south wall.

He said he came to this conclusion after talking to P.c. Brian Robinson who noted "shadow'' marks on the still damp road moments after the accident.

Sgt. Lewis added that if Mr. Pike had been on the correct side, closer to the near side of the road, and "some obstruction'' had not caused him to go into the wall, "there would have been a different type of damage''.

He added there would have been side damage rather than heavy damage to the front passenger headlamp area.

Sgt. Lewis also said that his findings were consistent with the evidence of Mr. Nottingham.

Earlier in the inquest, Mr. Warner heard that Mr. Pike told the emergency room doctor he had lost control whilst trying to avoid an accident.

Mr. Pike hit the steering wheel and windscreen of the car, suffering multiple injuries.

An autopsy revealed severe coronary artery disease and a possible heart attack at some point in the past -- which made survival unlikely.

Mr. Pike was originally a carpenter before beginning to drive taxis off and on for 50 years. He also drove public buses for ten years.

He had four children, 14 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren and was a musician in his church.

Mrs. Pike -- his wife of 42 years -- fondly remembered him shortly after his death as a great dancer and musician who also played a mean game of billiards and euchre.