AN INQUEST into the death of a Honda test driver who was killed while trialling a new car at a leading proving ground is expected to take place this year.

David Allan, 47, from North Swindon, was killed and four passengers were injured in the accident in July at the Millbrook proving ground near Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire.

The experienced touring car competitor was testing Honda’s new CR-V.

The car was cleared of any fault after rigorous tests were carried out following the incident.

Bedfordshire Police, who were leading the investigation, have passed the inquiry over to the Health and Safety Executive, which is putting together a report.

A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire and Luton coroner’s office said once the HSE’s report had been received the inquest would be scheduled for this year.

A spokesman for the HSE said: “Our investigations are continuing.

“As a matter of standard procedure we will submit our report to the coroner and then it will be up to the coroner to consider the findings along with any other evidence.”

The leading European ground has been used for TV shows including Top Gear, Fifth Gear and the James Bond film Casino Royale.

Collision investigation officers from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit initially carried out a forensic investigation at the scene, assisted by the HSE.

Mr Allan was part of a Honda team which competed in the British Touring Car Championship in 2002.

He drove the Production Class Honda Civic Type R.

He had been driving on a hill course described as being similar to the Swiss mountains.

The track consists of camber bends, brows and dips designed to test both the car and driver.

The course is described by Millbrook as being “an invaluable experience in itself for any driver who loves the open road”.

Mr Allan would have been well equipped to have handled the testing circuit.

He was part of Honda’s Synchro Motorsport team, formed in 1994 for employees to develop their technical skills.

Mr Allan had worked at UK Manufacturing Ltd for more than 26 years and was one of the original employees of the company.