A man has been cleared of causing death by dangerous driving after the mast strapped to the dinghy he was towing came loose and fatally injured the passenger of another car coming in the opposite direction.

The incident took place in Bewdley, Worcestershire in June 2008 as the man was towing his dinghy home from Chelmarsh Reservoir.

The jury at Hereford Crown Court heard how the mast came loose and struck the passenger of an oncoming car causing fatal head injuries.

The prosecution claimed Mark Tissiman, 47, of Kidderminster Road, Bewdley had failed to secure the mast sufficiently.

Mr Tissiman denied the charges saying he had properly secured the mast.

The jury found him guilty of careless driving for which he has been banned for six months and fined £1,500.