'Unnatural element' to driver's motorway death

An inquest has heard how there was "an unnatural element" in the death of a man who drove off a motorway carriageway and crashed into a tree.

Alexander Bell Bonnar, 69 and from Thornliebank in Glasgow, had suffered a medical episode while driving on the M6 between junctions 37 and 38, south of Tebay, Cumbria, on 15 August.

Formally opening an inquest at Cockermouth Coroners' Court, assistant coroner Margaret Taylor concluded that a full hearing to establish the cause of death would be required.

The inquest was adjourned to 20 March 2025.

Ms Taylor noted: "The very brief circumstances are that Mr Bonnar was travelling northbound on the M6 when it is believed he had a medical episode and veered off the carriageway, on to the hard shoulder and collided with a tree.

"Although there clearly has been a medical episode, there is an unnatural element in relation to his death."

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to [email protected].