Dr Hughes spoke to the relatives of Susan and Adam Barlow shortly after their arrival at Preston General Hospital following the crash which claimed the life of Susan and caused injury to her son in February 2001. Dr Hughes stated that Adam was unconscious on admission and it fell to Ken to break the news of his mother's death and formally identify Susan's body in the hospital's mortuary. Adam was subsequently discharged the following morning and was taken back to Weatherfield to begin recuperation.