AN elderly driver probably veered off a country road, killing a female cyclist after suffering heart problems, a fatal accident inquiry heard.

Elaine Dunne died near John O'Groats as she and her husband Christopher headed home to Leicester after a cycling holiday in Orkney. They were hit by Alice Ross, now 86, at Auckengill on the A99 on September 21, 2011.

Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday that consultant Dr Malcolm Metcalfe believed the change of direction by Mrs Ross's Nissan Micra, was "strongly in keeping with a cardiac cause which led to her loss of control of her car".

Mrs Ross had suffered blackouts , the most recent a month before the crash, the hearing, which continues today, was told.