Coroner opens inquest into death of Grassmoor pensioner following roadside altercation

Pic From Caters News - (PICTURED: Stuart Bowdler, 74, who was killed in a road rage incident pictured with his wife, Margaret, 61. pictured in December 2016.) - The grieving widow of a man who died during a suspected road-rage incident described how he suddenly dropped to the floor following an altercation. Margaret Bowdler, 61, said she was shocked at the sudden death of her husband Stuart, after his Ford Focus collided with a motorbike. The couple had been married for 37 years and were taking a trip to their local pub the Boot and Shoe in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, when the incident happened. According to Margaret they were just turning into the pub car park when their car was involved in a bump with a Suzuki motorcycle. Retired plumber Stuart, 74, got out of the car to speak to the 30-year-old rider but an altercation occurred. SEE CATERS COPY.

Mr Bowdler, 74, of Wingerworth Terrace, Grassmoor, died after an alleged altercation with a motorcyclist last week.

His wife, Margaret Bowdler, 61, told the Derbyshire Times how she and Stuart were taking a trip to their local pub, the Boot and Shoe Inn in Grassmoor, when the incident happened on April 18.

According to Margaret they were just turning into the pub car park when their car was involved in a collision with a Suzuki motorcycle.

Retired plumber Stuart, 74, got out of the car to speak to the 30-year-old rider but an alleged altercation occurred.

DC Manjit Johal, of Derbyshire Police’s major crime unit, told Derbyshire coroner James Newman how, at about 9pm on the same date, there was a report of a very minor road traffic accident between Mr Bowdler’s vehicle and a motorcycle on North Wingfield Road, opposite the pub.

He added: “There was a minor altercation which resulted in Mr Bowdler being transported to Chesterfield Royal Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.”

Colin Bailey, 30, of Clay Cross, was arrested after the incident. He has now been charged with manslaughter, as well as possessing controlled substances with intent to supply.

Coroner James Newman told Chesterfield Coroners Court he was unable to give the medical cause of Mr Bowdler’s death as he had not yet seen the full post-mortem report.

He added that it was possible a there may be no full inquest into Mr Bowdler’s death, as the circumstances of his death would be dealt with by senior courts and he had to await the outcome of those proceedings.

DC Johal confirmed that witnesses from the scene at the Boot and Shoe Inn had already come forward to assist with investigations.

Mr Newman said a pre-inquest review would be held on August 27.