METHODIST minister Tony Brazier has made friends with the driver of a car involved in the horrific car crash which killed his wife.

Mr Brazier has met Michael Bowles three times since his wife, Margaret Brazier, died in the head-on smash with Mr Bowles' Citroen Xantia.

The accident happened on Wycombe Road, Marlow Bottom, on January 17 this year.

Mr Brazier, 57, of Rutland Avenue, High Wycombe, invited Mr Bowles, 32, of Churchill Drive, Marlow, to attend his wife's funeral.

Mr Brazier told the Bucks Free Press he was glad he had spoken to Mr Bowles before the inquest on Tuesday.

He said: "Michael is just another guy whose life got shook up by this accident.

"He came to Margaret's funeral and I have spoken to him several times since the death of my wife."

Buckinghamshire deputy coroner David Turner recorded a verdict of accidental death at the High Wycombe inquest.

PC Duncan Thurlwell, of the accident investigations unit in Aylesbury, told the inquest how Mrs Brazier's Corsa crashed into Mr Bowles' car after going out of control on black ice.

Mr Bowles told the court he cleared frost from his car windscreen before setting off on the morning of the accident.

He added: "I became concerned as her car started to cross the centre of the road and come straight at me.

"It was obvious that she was going to crash into me.

"I braked and turned the wheel, but there was nothing I could do and I collided with the Corsa.

"The car was on its side and Margaret was motionless inside.

"I thought of how I could get her out but my hands were damaged from the crash."

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