Two died in horror crash after driver went wrong way on dual carriageway

TWO people were killed as a result of a horror four-car pileup after a 90-year-old driver took a wrong turn and drove more than 450m down a busy dual carriageway in the wrong direction.

- ROB HARRIES

Emily Thornton-Sandy and her dog scout died as a result of the crash

The fatal crash happened on the A48 in Carmarthenshire between Pont Abraham Roundabout, where the M4 ends, and Cross Hands Roundabout, which is four miles further west heading towards Carmarthen.

At around midday on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, a Toyota being driven by John Howell Price, who was 90, collided with a Ford being driven by 30-year-old solicitor Emily Thornton-Sandy.

A huge emergency services response including police and paramedics was sent to the A48 following the collision, which happened on the eastbound stretch of the dual carriageway.

Mr Price died at the scene while Mrs Thornton-Sandy was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she died six days later on November 11, 2024. Her dog Scout, who was in the car at the time of the crash, also died.

Inquests into the deaths of Mr Price and Mrs Thornton-Sandy were held consecutively on Wednesday, December 3, at Llanelli Town Hall. Giving evidence at both hearings was forensic collision investigator David Stacey of Dyfed-Powys Police.

The incident involved four vehicles in total, the inquests heard. A Renault and a BMW were damaged as a result of secondary impacts after the Toyota had collided with the Ford.

According to investigator Mr Stacey driver Mr Price had pulled out of a junction located on the eastbound side of the carriageway near Cross Hands. It is a junction which allows access to a Welsh Water sewage treatment plant.

He then proceeded to turn right and drive in lane two of the eastbound carriageway in a westbound direction. He did this for around 452m before crashing into the Ford being driven by Mrs Thornton-Sandy.