Fatal accident linked to Top Gear

Richard Browne lost control of his 4x4 vehicle while towing a trailer carrying three bullocks, an inquest in Cornwall, in England, was told yesterday.

He sped up to try to steady the vehicle as it swerved from side to side, but crashed.

Browne, 29, told police: "I just tried to accelerate out of it.

"I've watched it on Top Gear and they always say put the accelerator down and get out of it, the worst thing you can do is brake - so that's what I did.

"I tried to accelerate out of it, but it slowly got worse, and then all of a sudden it picked up and the back of the truck was being thrown from side to side. At that point, I had my foot on the accelerator, there was nothing more I could do, and all I remember is it just going."

Farmer Bill Tucker, 85, a passenger in the vehicle in October last year, suffered severe injuries and died soon after the accident.

Cornwall's Deputy Coroner Andrew Cox recorded a verdict of accidental death.

"It would be preferable if people who are going to drive trailers on the road take professional instruction before they begin," he said.