Man, 93, died in 'car parking squabble'

An elderly man died after being knocked to the ground during an argument about a car park space in Devon, an inquest ruled.

Alfred Lockhart died following a fight between his son Alan and haulage firm boss Trevor Denford.

The inquest heard that the 93-year-old attempted to intervene in the dispute but was knocked to the floor and hit his head, fracturing his skull and causing a subdural haematoma. He was taken to hospital but died later from his injuries.

Alan Lockhart, 52, said on 3 November last year he and his father left their car on an industrial estate in Plymouth.

The area is private parking paid for by Mr Denford for his haulage vehicles but is unmarked with no signs or street markings.

The court heard that when Alan Lockhart returned, a lorry had parked so close to the driver side of his car that he could not get in.

When he asked Mr Denford to move it, an argument ensued about the area being private car parking and a number of punches were thrown. When Alfred Lockhart intervened to help his son he fell to the floor.

Ruling a narrative verdict, Deputy Coroner for Plymouth Andrew Cox said it was a "deplorable set of circumstances" for a life to be lost.

He said: "There was a fracas involving two men over a car park space. The deceased tried to separate the two men but was knocked to the ground.

"The fact that a man in his 90s has died as a result of a squabble over car park space is a deplorable set of circumstances."