The husband of a woman who died in a crash says he has been left devastated by the news a court case into the tragedy has fallen apart.

Essex Crown Prosecution Service confirmed a charge of careless driving against Sylvia Boram, of Court Street, Nayland, is being dropped.

Mrs Boram, who is in her late 70s, had denied the charge relating to the collision when mother-of-three Joe Mason died in Colchester on May 6 last year.

Mrs Mason had taken her three sons to the park in Mill Road when Mrs Boram's Daimler was involved in a collision with Mrs Mason's stationary car.

Chris McCann, Essex branch crown prosecutor, said: "It is an evidential aspect which we can't go into because it concerns Mrs Boram personally.

"In all road traffic accidents the health of the driver at the time of the accident is a major consideration to whether a person is driving or acting in a state that prevents them from being in proper control of the vehicle."

Mrs Boram said: "I can understand the anguish of the Mason family at the tragic consequences of this accident and our hearts go out to them every day.

"We knew all along that I was not guilty of careless driving but because of the legal situation following the opinions and comments expressed at the inquest and headlined locally, I could not answer the allegations until now.

"Living with this daily for more than 13 months has been very harrowing for me and my husband, who is still suffering from the effects of the accident.

"I am grateful to the many friends whose support has not wavered. We will do anything we can to help others who have also suffered."

Joe's husband Ray, of Turner Road, said: "Because the court case has gone on for over a year we can't take out a private prosecution. We weren't informed of this.

"I just feel a mess. I do not know which way to turn. The only other option is to speak with a European MP."

The inquest into Joe Mason's death heard the Daimler driver mistook the accelerator for the brake. Essex coroner Dr Malcolm Weir recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest in November.

A police accident investigator said at the inquest a suggestion that a mat had slipped under the driver's seat causing the crash could not have happened - it was due to the driver accelerating and not braking.

Colchester MP Bob Russell was concerned the Mason family cannot bring about a private prosecution because it has been more than a year since the crash.

On Monday, he tabled a written question to Home Secretary Jack Straw asking the Government to review the legislation and for him to make a statement in the House of Commons on the issue.

Joe Mason's sister says the whole close-knit family remain deeply traumatised by the tragedy.

Catherine Musgrove said: "Some families go from one year to another and do not see each other. We think nothing of getting together on a Saturday night, card nights and impromptu barbecues.

"We have all tried not to have a birthday this year because we don't want to not have a card from her."

Catherine, from Knox Road, Clacton, said Joe's mum Jo will not have her hair cut because his daughter used to do it.

"I don't think any of us has got the idea that she won't come back.

"We can talk about what's happened, but can't talk about her," she added. "I miss her so much. I can't believe that losing one person could turn the world so upside down and make me feel empty and sad for my mum and brothers.

"My dad used to be such a strong man and has always been so emotionally and physically strong and I'm worried he won't make it to the end of the year sometimes because Joe was his baby. They loved us all individually."

Joe and Catherine's cousin Leslie Ryder, of Holland-on-Sea, said the family have always been close. As children they all lived in the same house, including Joe's brothers Simon and David.

She said: "No-one really cares about things anymore. Everyone lives for the day.

"Everyone is getting up in the morning and doing what the day brings. Everything has changed and everyone has changed."

Crash was tragedy

It was a tragedy which touched many.

Passers-by looked on in horror as the accident happened without them being able to do a thing.

When emergency services arrived the wires from the electricity sub station were live and power was cut off.

But firefighters, paramedics and the Essex Air Ambulance crew couldn't do anything until the power was made safe.

Hundreds packed St Michael's Church in Mile End for Joe's funeral. An image of her as a loving, positive and energetic person came over during the service.

The Colchester-born woman was also chairman of the Rainbow Playgroup in Mile End.

Joe, a former Clacton schoolgirl, was the daughter of Josephine and George Bleeze of Sandown Close, Clacton.

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