Paddy Ashdown in fatal car crash

Lord Ashdown was being driven by his wife when they got into a fatal crash which claimed the life of a 49-year-old motorist.

17:22 31 January 2014

Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown was involved in a three-vehicle collision that took place on January 24. Both he and his wife, who was driving their Renault Scenic, were unharmed.

However, the incident led to the tragic death of Mark Hurford from Crewkerne. Meanwhile, Mr Ashdown said it was a miracle that he and his wife survived.

Other vehicles that were involved in the crash were a Ford Transit and the Vauxhall Corsa driven by Mr Hurford. The accident took place near the couple’s home on the A365.

Lord Ashdown said that the crash left his wife shaken. He added that he “immediately stopped traffic coming from the other direction” to check on Mr Hurford. He claimed that the man was dead by the time he reached him.

He said: "My wife felt shocked. The police and ambulance turned up and we spent the next two hours going through the procedures that you have to have."

Lord Ashdown also revealed that they contacted the victim’s family right away.

"I spoke to his wife over the weekend and expressed my condolences," he said. "My wife and I are very upset for the other family."