Teacher who died in crash was three times over limit from drinking night before

Annie Holman-Lisney had a history of stress and anxiety-related issues and hadn't been sleeping well, an inquest heard.

A primary school teacher who died after crashing into a tree while three times over the drink drive limit, ‘would be so sorry’, her daughter told an inquest.

Annie Holman-Lisney, 63, was not wearing a seatbelt when her car swerved off the dual carriageway while on her way to school during rush hour on July 17, this year.

Her blue Toyota Yaris collided into a tree and she was pronounced dead at the scene, near to Micheldever Woods, in Hampshire.

The accident took place as Ms Holman-Lisney, from Dummer, near Basingstoke, drove southbound down the A33 at 7.40 am.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how the mother had a long history of stress and anxiety-related concerns, which sometimes caused erratic behaviour.

The court heard how she had been struggling to sleep for a few days and may have drunk alcohol the night before to help her get some rest.

Her heartbroken daughter, Lily Holman-Brant, told the hearing that her mother, who ‘made us laugh until we cried’ was well-respected at work but was not herself the morning of the crash.

She said: ‘Everything about that morning was completely out of character. She was a lovely mum and friend to many.

‘She was really respected in work, she sparkled and had such warmth and kindness and gave so much to people.

‘But she wasn’t herself and I’d been very worried about her mental health. Mum had been up late quite a few nights and told me she hadn’t been sleeping well – she must’ve been drinking late into the night to help her sleep.

‘She used to drive me to school and college along that road and would always wear a seatbelt.

‘Mum would be so sorry about what happened.’

The fatal crash happened when the teacher attempted to overtake a taxi but drifted off the dual carriageway while on the way to her primary school Twyford St Mary’s in Winchester.

Taxi driver Derek Holden said: ‘The car overtook and then lost control. It got worse and worse before it drifted into the trees on the side of the road.

‘I pulled over up the road and went to another man who had stopped.’

After the inquest, her daughter added: ‘We are heartbroken that her life ended in this tragic way.

‘We will always remember how she opened our eyes to the world, taught us to appreciate the precious nature of life, and made us laugh until we cried.

‘We are grateful to the people who tried to help Annie after the crash, and our hearts go out to all the witnesses.’

In a newsletter, Twyford St Mary’s primary school said: ‘Nobody can quite prepare you for the loss of a colleague and a friend, and harder still when the work, care and support for the children continues despite the personal feelings of sorrow and disbelief we each feel.’

Senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson concluded the death was as a result of a road traffic collision.