A MAN who ran a wholesale electrical businesses in Runcorn was killed by a falling boulder during an Alpine hurricane, an inquest has concluded.
Mark Huddlestone, 47, of Julian Way, Widnes, died from multiple injuries when a 75cm boulder smashed into his taxi near Unken, Austria.
An inquest in Warrington heard that the freak accident happened on Saturday, March 1, as Mr Huddlestone, the driver Andy Boonstoppel, and a second passenger, Ian Peter Murray, made their way to their hotel.
Although the storm, Hurricane Emma, was only brewing before they set off from Salzberg, it unleashed its full fury during their journey, flinging rocks from cliffs and battering the car with hail stones.
Mr Boonstoppel said he had steered to avoid a felled tree and rocks in the road by driving in the left lane.
He was turning to park the taxi for safety when a terrible bang caused him to stop the vehicle.
Mr Boonstoppel and Mr Murray undid their seatbelts and fled the vehicle in shock.
They looked back and saw Mr Huddlestone hanging in his seat.
They went back to help while another driver rang rescue services who confirmed Mr Huddlestone’s death.
Verdict: Accidental death.
