Driver didn’t see popular cricket stalwart

A war hero and well-known cricketer died from multiple injuries after he was flung 9ft into the air after being struck by a car.

Charles Scoltock (90) died a day after being hit by a blue Volkswagen Passat as he attempted to cross St Mary’s Way at the Henshaw Street junction in Oldham on March 12, last year.

Driver Mark Julius (46) was praised for his co-operation with the police and faced no charges.

At Friday’s inquest, Mr Julius said in a statement to the coroner that he did not see Mr Scoltock in the road.

Mr Scoltock, of St Mary’s Court, was taken to hospital but it was thought his injuries were not life-threatening. However, he died the next day.

A post-mortem revealed that Mr Scoltock died of multiple injuries.

A witness, Lucia Toniolo, who was travelling along St Mary’s Way, said the collision was quick.

All she heard was a bang, but never saw Mr Scoltock, prior to the accident.

She ran out of her vehicle to assist the pensioner, who had been to the Tommyfield pub.

PC Chris Constantine, of Chadderton’s road policing unit, said he was satisfied with the information supplied by Mr Julius, whose breath test proved negative. He was said to be travelling at 20mph.

But Mr Scoltock’s son, Alan, said he could not understand why Mr Julius didn’t see his father in the road.

Short-cuts

PC Mark Dickman, of Greater Manchester Police’s forensic collision reconstruction unit, said the accident was a low-speed impact as there was no damage to the car.

But he added that the railings along the pavement should be extended so pedestrians were not taking short-cuts into the road as it was likely that’s what Mr Scoltock did.

Coroner Simon Nelson said Mr Julius did everything he was expected to do.

Offering his condolences to the family, he described Mr Scoltock, who was president of Oldham Alliance Cricket League, as a remarkable and humble man.

The hearing was also told how Mr Scoltock was a popular cricketer who served with the Royal Engineers during the Second World War. He was decorated for his bravery for his work in bomb disposal.

Mr Nelson recorded a verdict of accidental death.