THE driver of an out-of-control car which killed a mother and toddler had suffered a heart attack at the wheel, an inquest heard today.

But the coroner ruled that 89-year-old Ernest Wray - who also died in the crash - was fit to drive, after the hearing was told his angina had posed only a 'small risk'.

However, the inquest has prompted road safety campaigners to call for drivers aged over 70 to undergo annual health checks.

At present, pensioners self-assess themselves by filling in a medical for. Mr Wray's had been completed accurately.

On February 9, Mr Wray's Rover 400 mounted the pavement in Water Street, off Easgate, Accrington.

It crashed into Jackie Bloomer, 29, and her 18-month-old son Jayden who was in a pram.

Witnesses broke down in tears at the inquest today as they recalled the horrific crash that left Accrington in mourning.

Mr Wray, a retired accountant from Accrington, was travelling along Eastgate towards Baxenden shortly before 3pm when he was seen slumped 'as if he was reaching for something in the foot compartment'.

Witnesses described his car weaving in and out of two lanes without indication.

Anthony Slosser, who had had been driving home to Huncoat after leaving work at Hyndburn Borough Council, said he knew 'there was something wrong with the driver'.

Aurang Zaib, who was driving behind Mr Wray’s car, sounded his horn when he it swerved across his path.

He said: "A female on the corner of Water Street looked at me when I sounded my horn.

“There were no more than seconds between her turning to look at me and the car hitting her. She had no chance of avoiding it.”

PC Russell Lambert, who passed the scene moments after the crash, radioed for help and went to assist Mrs Bloomer, who was lying face down 30 metres away from the crash site.

He said she had a weak pulse but was still breathing.

He then realised that there was a pram trapped between the car and the wall and saw a female off-duty fire officer with Jayden in her arms.

PC Russell ended up driving the ambulance to hospital so paramedics could concentrate on trying to resuscitate Mr Wray and Jayden in the back.

Mr Wray and Jayden were pronounced dead shortly afterwards at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Mrs Bloomer, of Lime Road, Accrington, was transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital suffering from severe head injuries, but died three days later.

It is estimated that Mr Wray's car had been travelling at between 23 to 28 miles per hour when it crashed, and no mechanical faults were found on the vehicle.

Coroner Michael Singleton, who presided over the inquest at Accrington Town Hall, questioned whether Mr Wray was fit to drive, as he was receiving medication for angina, heart valve problems and an irregular heart beat.

Dr Stephanie Williams, medical adviser to the DVLA said Mr Wray had last completed a self-assessment medical form on August 8, 2008 and had accurately detailed his health conditions.

Coroner Michael Singleton asked if there was any point when the DVLA would demand more than the completion of the forms, but Dr Williams said there was not.

Mr Singleton then asked Janet Chanderman, a senior officer for the medical policy section of the DVLA whether there should be an age limit to the driving licence.

She replied: “That would be against equality laws.”

Dr Williams added: “If we had had his medical notes, we would have still renewed his licence.

“As people get older there is a reduction in useful vision and also in the speed of processing.

“But these limitations affect everybody differently.

"You can’t say at a certain age that a person will not be fit to drive.

“I get the impression he was fit for his age and a very sensible man who wouldn’t have taken risks.

“With all the information I have, I would say that with stable angina, he was at a low risk of a sudden disabling event at the wheel.”

Mr Singleton ruled that Mr Wray was fit to drive.

He recorded a verdict of accidental deaths for Mrs Bloomer and Jayden, and said that Mr Wray had died of multiple injuries brought about by a heart attack.

Mr Wray's GP Dr Claire Murphy, said he was first diagnosed with angina in 1991 and was taking a range of medication to thin his blood and widen his arteries.

Dr Murphy confirmed that it was not normal practice for doctors at the surgery to ask whether patients were driving, but they would conduct a full assessment if a consultant advised them to.

After the case, a road safety charity demanded elderly people undergo health checks every year to prove they are fit to drive.

Brake said the current system of filling out self-assessment forms and licence renewals every three years for drivers older than 70 'isn't good enough'.

Cathy Keeler, Brake's deputy chief executive, said: "These checks should also be required every five years for drivers under the age of 70, as health can deteriorate at any age.

"More frequent checks are needed for older drivers as there are known health risks associated with ageing that directly affect driving ability, including loss of eyesight and hearing.

"Older drivers may also have health conditions or take medication that can impair driving.

"Drivers who have a high risk of heart attack or fainting fits must not be allowed behind the wheel."

But old people's campaigners said drivers in their teens and 20s were more at risk of causing accidents.

The DVLA receives 600,000 applications for renewal each year and 70,000 are for a change in medical condition. Some 7,000 licences are revoked.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) said drivers over 70 were no more likely to cause crashes than any other driver.

Neil Greig, IAM's director of policy and research, said: “Just eight per cent of drivers are over 70 and they are involved in around four per cent of injury crashes.

"But 15 per cent of drivers are in their teens and 20s and they are involved in 34 per cent of injury crashes."

Greg Lewis, from Age UK, said: “We believe that where drivers wish to continue behind the wheel beyond the age of 70, only convincing reasons should prevent them from doing so."