Ian Ledsham's family awarded payout after six-man fatal Ropley crash (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Ian Ledsham's family awarded payout after six-man fatal Ropley crash

3:31pm Thursday 8th October 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

THE FAMILY of a musician killed in a car crash that claimed the lives of five others has been awarded £240,000 in compensation.

The widow and two sons of Ian Ledsham came to the out of Court settlement with lawyers representing the estate of Samuel Sayer, who was speeding and had been drinking when his car ploughed into Mr Ledsham’s.

The 20-year-old was twice the drinkdrive limit when his Peugeot 106 hit Mr Ledsham’s Ford Focus on the A31 at Ropley in September 2005.

He had been travelling at about 80mph in a 50mph zone.

Mr Sayer, of Bramdean, died in the crash, which also claimed the lives of his four passengers – Duncan Brown, 25, Kris Pendlebury, 21, Rogan Smart and Daniel Dewhurst, both 19.

Lawyers were seeking £500,000 for the negligent driving of Mr Sayer. Judge Iain Hughes QC, sitting at Winchester County Court, said the crash had occurred “as a result of the overexuberant driving of Mr Sayer”.

“The tragedy of this case is Mrs Ledsham was left a widow and Alexander and Oliver without a father,”

added Judge Hughes QC.

“He was much loved as a father and was a very talented individual. This award will not provide enormous comfort to them, but it will give them some financial security.”

John Bate-Williams, for Mr Sayer, said: “On behalf of the estate and insurers we do bitterly regret the loss of all the lives in this case.

“Nothing can repair the situation and I want to express our enormous sorrow.

I’m simply saying: ‘We’re so sorry’.”

Mr Ledsham, 51, was returning home from practising with The North Hampshire Choir – which he founded in 2002 – when tragedy struck.

Mr Sayer and his passengers were on their way back from watching a football match at a pub.

In an online tribute Mr Ledsham’s son, Alexander, the only survivor of the accident, said: “My dad was the most talented musician I know and taught me everything I know about music.

“He was a very sociable person, loved by many and all who knew him,” he added.

“He was and is my greatest musical influence and I miss him dearly.”

The family did not wish to comment following yesterday’s settlement.

Three months after the accident an inquest recorded accidental death verdicts on all six who died.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)