A CAR which skidded out of control on a dual carriageway after a heavy sleet shower had struck a woman of 22 as she walked to find refuge behind a barrier following her own smash, an inquest was told on Tuesday.

A Caernarfon coroner recorded a conclusion that store assistant Rebecca Oxlade, of Lon Isallt, Trearddur Bay, Anglesey, died on the A55 eastbound, near Valley due to a road traffic collision.

Assistant coroner Kate Sutherland said Miss Oxlade was struck by a Vauxhall Corsa that lost control at 70mph as she was stood on the grass verge on January 17, last year. A third car also lost control on the road.

The coroner said :"I can’t say, and don’t say, the speed of the Vauxhall Corsa was causative of the accident.” She added the death must be for her family and friends “a huge and tragic loss.”

Pathologist Dr Mark Lord said Miss Oxlade had multiple injuries, consistent with being hit from behind. “The severity of the injuries was such survival was impossible,” he declared.

The coroner said Miss Oxlade’s Renault Captur had collided with the rear of a lorry – the lorry driver being unaware of this – and came to a stop.

She got out. In evidence, another motorist Rachel Williams said she also got out of her car after losing control in “slushy” conditions. She and a shaken Miss Oxlade walked towards a safety barrier.

Mrs Williams said she turned to go back to her car when she realised her hazard lights weren’t on, while Miss Oxlade continued walking.

“I was on my phone and heard a gliding noise and could see another car gliding. I turned around. I was screaming ‘move’. The car hit her,” she said.

Corsa driver Bryn Richards said he’d seen two crashed cars and moved to give them space but his car spun. No action was taken by the police against him.

He was not at the scene when sleet came down. Police collision investigator Ian Thompson said the Corsa may have aquaplaned after the unexpected shower.