AN ELDERLY woman who died following a head-on collision could have been “blinded” by the winter sun, an inquest heard.

Joan Mercer, 86, “an experienced and careful driver” was travelling on the A31 on January 20 near to the Coventry Arms at Corfe Mullen when her green Volkswagen Polo was seen to swerve from the eastbound carriageway on to the westbound carriageway, colliding with a red Vauxhall Corsa.

The grandmother-of-two was airlifted to Poole Hospital with fractures to her ribs, pelvis, and spine but developed a form of pneumonia as a result of her injuries.

Despite treatment she died in hospital six days later.

Mrs Mercer was travelling from her home in Lytchett Matravers to the bank in Wimborne when the collision took place just after 9.30am.

Her daughter Corinne Brown said her mother made the journey twice a week so knew the route well.

Mrs Brown said when she visited her mother in hospital that evening and asked her what had happened, she told her: “It was the sun.”

Collision investigator PC Rodger Clark said no defects were found on either car and Mrs Mercer and Jill Whitmarsh, the driver of the Vauxhall Corsa, were both wearing their seatbelts and abiding by the speed limit.

Dorset Police Inspector Neil Leat, who was off-duty but travelling to work on the A31 that morning, said it was a bright morning and visibility was excellent although he was wearing a pair of sunglasses.

He said Jill Whitmarsh, who was in the line of traffic ahead of him, could not have avoided the oncoming vehicle.

Acting Deputy District Coroner Richard Middleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.

After the inquest Mrs Mercer’s son David said: “She had been driving for 40 years and if anything she was extra cautious.

“The only explanation we have got is that she was blinded by the sun. We’re devastated.”