Inquest: Birkenshaw woman died on way to visit autistic son

Jean Taylor, 87, of Bradford Road, had been dropped off at Bradford Interchange by a taxi before she was hit by another taxi, throwing her to the ground.

She was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary before she died from head injuries the same morning on August 10 last year.

The inquest, at Bradford Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, was told Miss Taylor had planned to board a National Express coach from the interchange to visit her son, who lives in a care home.

The inquest heard that, despite having suffered a stroke in the past, Mrs Taylor was in good health.

Police told the court that, during the investigation, the driver of the taxi, Mohammed Meharban, had been offered to view CCTV footage of the incident.

Det Sgt Carol Greaves added: “The CCTV footage was emotional and traumatic for anyone to view, and Mr Maharban did not wish to see it.”

Collisions investigation unit officer, PC Andrew Oversby, said Maharban’s vehicle was analysed, but no faults were found.

Maharban had been driving taxis around Bradford for 16 years, and at the time of the incident had no penalty points on his licence.

Meharban had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and was given a 12-month community order, with 100 hours’ unpaid work, and was banned from driving for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £60 victims’ surcharge.

He told the inquest: “I feel very sad for what happened, and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“I am so sorry – I made a mistake for not checking my right side.”

Coroner Dominic Bell recorded a verdict that Mrs Taylor had died as the result of a road traffic collision.