Mayor, 75, was killed in tractor crash after he was blinded by its bright headlights, inquest hears

Published: 14:19, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 14:27, 10 July 2026 A mayor was killed in a crash with a tractor travelling at just 18mph after being blinded by its bright headlights, an inquest heard. Barry Panter was travelling to a council meeting when he was hit by the farm vehicle towing a muck spreader in Woore, Shropshire, on February 13 last year. The 75-year-old mayor of Newcastle-Under-Lyme was rushed to hospital but he passed away two days later on February 16. Shropshire Coroner's Court heard the pensioner had been negotiating a bend when the rear of the muck-spreader hit Mr Panter's Suzuki Splash. The hearing was told driver Christopher Bedson initially didn't stop, believing the bump to be a pothole, before later returning to the scene. In an interview with police Mr Bedson said he had only used the main road lights for the tractor, either on full beam or dipped. Witness Keri Lovatt said she had seen a tractor with 'very bright lights' coming towards her before finding Mr Panter's car in the road at a 90 degree angle. She told the court how she discovered the mayor repeatedly saying 'bright light, bright light', before complaining about pain in his head. 75-year-old mayor of Newcastle-Under-Lyme Barry James Panter was killed in a collision with a tractor  Panter (L) was rushed to hospital but he passed away two days later on February 16 Detective Constable Ben Ward, from West Mercia Police's serious collision investigation, also gave evidence at the hearing at Shrewsbury's Guildhall. He said a police crash investigation team was not sent to the scene of the crash because medics had not believed Mr Panter's injuries were life-threatening. Police Sergeant Sarah Fraser-Smith also gave evidence and said it was likely the muck spreader strayed across the white line onto the side of the road Mr Panter was driving. She said: 'Had the driver of the Suzuki moved to use the nearside of the road there was room for both vehicles to pass without incident.' PS Smith said it was 'highly likely' Mr Panter had not been able to see what was coming because he was 'dazzled by the oncoming headlights'. The inquest was told the case was also referred to the Crown Prosecution Service but had not met the threshold for a criminal prosecution. Recording a conclusion of death by road traffic collision Deputy Coroner Heath Westerman, said: 'As Mr Panter approached the left-hand bend he was met by, and blinded by a New Holland tractor towing a muck-spreader, part of which encroached into the opposing lane, coming into contact with the Suzuki, causing it to come off the road having sustained extensive front end damage.' His cause of death was listed as 'multiple acute injuries sustained in a collision'. Mr Panter joined the RAF aged 19 and also spent 23 years serving in South Wales Police. He was elected to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in 2016 and became mayor in 2024.