A grieving grandson has spoken of the 'lost years' for his family after his grandfather died in a crash when he was not wearing his seatbelt.

Norwich Evening News: Stefan Rider, whose grandfather died in a accident while not wearing a seatbelt Picture: ArchantStefan Rider, whose grandfather died in a accident while not wearing a seatbelt Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

Stefan Rider, station manager at Carrow fire station in Norwich, said they were looking forward to 'a few more years' with much-loved 89-year-old Ivan Overland.

But a Norwich inquest heard Mr Overland, a retired factory worker, was not belted up when the van he was driving crashed into a brick wall in Basin Road, Outwell, Wisbech at 5.30pm on Monday July 30 2018.

And his grandson Mr Rider said: 'He could have had minor injuries and recovered in hospital but because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt we won't get those extra years.'

The inquest heard Mr Overland had been driving a grey Renault Kangoo van back from the town centre after buying a lottery ticket and collecting his pension.

He came round a left-hand bend, over-steering onto the other side of the road and clipping a Range Rover travelling towards him.

Because Mr Overland was not wearing his seatbelt the inquest at Norfolk Coroners' Court heard that a star-shaped crack was left in the windscreen above the steering wheel. The air bags had not deployed. He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King's Lynn, where he died the next day.

Linda Rider, Mr Overland's daughter, told the inquest in a statement that he liked to keep active and she visited him regularly.

When going out she would normally drive. She said at times she would have to remind her father to put his seatbelt on but believed this was because he was a passenger.

Steven Handcock was driving the Range Rover that Mr Overland's van clipped. He said he was forced onto the verge and when Mr Overland drove past he had a 'vacant' expression on his face.

A police spokesman said: 'Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the fatal four offences which makes you more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a collision, along with drink and drug driving, using a mobile phone and speeding.

'Wearing a seatbelt can prevent many collision-related injuries and fatalities and it is compulsory drivers wear them and ensure their passengers buckle-up too.'

The cause of death given by senior coroner Jacqueline Lake was multiple injuries caused by a road traffic collision combined with natural causes.

Mr Rider, 46, said: 'He loved spending time with his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.

'But he was very frail and we knew as a family that we would only have been able to spend time with him for a few more years - but because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt we won't have those.'