A coroner has ruled out calling for improvements to a Keighley supermarket car park following the death of a 79-year-old woman.

But Charles Peach, the 79-year-old husband of Elsie, who died from chest injuries when trapped under the wheels of a Citroen Xsara, has urged the closure of a pedestrian access to Sainsbury's supermarket.

The couple were hit by disabled driver Agnes Simms as they walked across the car park from the footpath linked to Bradford Road, Keighley.

Speaking after an inquest in Bradford yesterday into his wife's death, Mr Peach, of Montgomery Street, Skipton, said: "We never said the car park was dangerous. We had crossed it many times - but we were always careful. The driver just didn't see us.

"But I think it would help to cut off the pathway which comes from the main road, which would make people use the normal opening to the supermarket."

Mr and Mrs Peach had been walking arm-in-arm to their car when they were struck by the Xsara as it was leaving. Deputy Bradford Coroner Mark Hinchliffe, who recorded a verdict of misadventure, said he did not think the car park was a dramatically dangerous environment. He conceded that minor changes could be made but to make significant ones would involve massive alterations.

He said supermarket car parks were fraught with danger and hazards and people had to be alert.

He added: "Mrs Simms, because she was concentrating on looking left and right, simply didn't see Mr and Mrs Peach. There were a significant number of seconds during which, if Mrs Simms had seen them, she could have stopped."

Mrs Simms was not at the hearing because she was in hospital.

Giving evidence, Mr Peach said he saw the Citroen coming out of a minor junction in the car park and knew there would be plenty of room for it to go behind them.

But it hit them from the back and the next time he saw his wife she was under the wheels of the Citroen. Mrs Peach was freed by the emergency services but was certified dead at Airedale Hospital.

Accident investigator Anita Blow said that if Mrs Simms was only travelling at five or 10mph she should have been able to stop within a couple of seconds.

Mr Hinchliffe said that despite Mrs Simms later passing an eye test, she should consider giving up her driving licence.