WOMAN INVOLVED IN TRAGIC CAR PARK ACCIDENT CAUSES DEATH OF HER HUSBAND
A 72-year-old man named David Charles Seymour Chivers died after his wife, Elaine Valentine, ran him over in a car park during a tragic accident.The incident occurred at Priorswell Road car park in Worksop on September 12, 2024, when both were there for an upcoming event.
During the inquest held at Nottingham Coroner's Court on July 30, 2025, it was reported that Mr.
Chivers exited the vehicle to remove a height barrier at the rear of the parking area.
Initially, they stood together by the barrier before Mrs.
Valentine sat in the driver's seat of the vehicle, a Vauxhall Insignia.
Mr.
Chivers was trying to reach the padlock at the back, which was too high for him to reach.
He was standing next to the open driver's door when the car, which was in reverse, suddenly moved, knocking him to the ground and then running over him.
The post-mortem examination determined Mr.
Chivers died due to a head injury with severe trauma to the brain, which was incompatible with life.
The coroner, Sarah Wood, recorded the death as accidental, stating, "Mr.
Chivers died of a head injury he sustained when the vehicle reversed, causing him to fall to the ground, and suddenly ran over him." She added, "He placed himself in a vulnerable position and when Ms Valentine pressed the accelerator, the vehicle reacted abruptly and caused a sudden increase in speed.
This left him with little time to react and knocked him to the ground.
What happened next was a tragic event and I find it is more likely than not that Ms Valentine panicked in an attempt to move the car away from Mr Chivers.
Due to the vehicle being in reverse, this led to the vehicle moving towards him and suddenly running over him, causing the head injury, which was his cause of death." Emergency services responded promptly after being called but Mr.
Chivers was pronounced dead at the scene.
PC Philip Broughton from Nottinghamshire Police mentioned that Ms.
Valentine likely experienced 'sudden acceleration syndrome,' which can happen when a driver unintentionally steps on the accelerator instead of the brake, causing panic and confusion.
