A 62-year-old woman has been fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation after a tragic Mad Sunday accident resulted in the death of her mother.

Lynda Christine Regan, of Mount Rule Road, Strang, was driving along Peel Road in Douglas when her mother was taken ill, distracting her and causing her to crash into another motorist.

The other driver suffered a cracked sternum, two broken toes, a sprained wrist and cut forehead, injuries which had since resulted in him giving up his employment.

Regan was also banned from driving for 12 months and must retake her test before driving again.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how, on June 5 at 3.15pm, Regan was driving a Peugeot Expert van on Peel Road.

She was distracted for two to three seconds by unusual gurgling noises coming from her mother who had slumped in the passenger seat.

While she was distracted, Regan’s car drifted into the opposite carriageway and collided head-on with a Suzuki Jimny driven by Terry Lockwood, a semi-retired, self-employed joiner, coming in the opposite direction.

Mr Swain said that Regan’s mother, Phyllis Hine, had not died immediately but it was as a result of the accident.

The prosecutor said that, had another vehicle not been involved, no charges would have been brought.

Regan pleaded guilty in court to causing serious bodily harm by driving without due care or consideration.

Mr Lockwood told police: ’I have no nasty feelings towards the driver. I feel sorry for her as she has lost her mother. It was an accident. I’m thinking about her and I hope her family forgive her.’

Defending Regan in court advocate Darren Taubitz said that his client’s mother had been in poor health for some time.

Mr Taubitz said: ’It was a tragedy for all involved. Not a reckless act, an impulsive and responsive action. Ms Regan may have had a "distraction" defence. She wanted to plead guilty though. Her mother died as a result of her injuries. The impact has been devastating.

’Ms Regan is a tortured soul. My heart goes out to her. What happened that day could have happened to anybody.

’She regrets the injuries Mr Lockwood sustained and apologises wholeheartedly.

’She has not got in the car since the incident and has no intention of driving again in the future.

’She had a wonderful relationship with her mother. She is heartbroken.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ’It was a momentary lapse of concentration. Something which could have happened to any driver.’

Regan was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.