'Uncool' belt may have saved life

A car crash victim who was said to have been taking part in a race was not wearing a seatbelt which may have saved his life because it "was not cool", an inquest heard.

Geoffrey Darter and his friend Graham Ashcroft, both fans of the modified car scene, were said to have been taking part in a race along the A461 Burnt Tree and Dudley Port on February 16, 2006.

Mr Darter's Renault Clio skidded off the road and smashed into a wall, yesterday's hearing was told. Neither he nor Mr Ashcroft were wearing seatbelts.

Mr Darter, 27, of Portobello, Wolverhampton was thrown from the car on imp-act and died in hospital six days later from head injuries.

The tragic outcome yesterday prompted the Black Country's coroner, Robin Balmain, to call for new measures to keep races off public roads.

Giving evidence at Smethwick Council House, Graham Ashcroft said they were concerned about how fellow car enthusiasts might view them if they were seen to be strapped in. The duo were part of the modified car scene where people congregate every Saturday and Thursday in Merry Hill.

Michael Hammond was said to have been involved in the race and had been preparing his Tigra car, which had a modified engine from a more powerful car, for a motoring magazine photoshoot.

But the practice came in for criticism from Mr Balmain, who said: "I understand that young men in particular have a fascination with cars and driving. There was a time when they could drive around disused factory sites and owners would turn a blind eye.

"It seems to me that there should be some way of dealing with this so that young men can pursue their interests somewhere else."

During the inquest, Mr Balmain said he "did not believe a word" of evidence given by two men, Michael Hammond and Darren Cornfield, who were said to have been involved in the race with Mr Darter.