A MAN lying in a lane of the A48 in the early hours of an autumn morning last year, died after being hit by a car.

Nigel Williams, 55, was struck by a car in Caerwent, around 3.40am on November 5, it was said at his inquest yesterday.

The driver described seeing what he first thought was a rubbish bag or old carpet in his lane. Only at the last second did he see it might be a person and slowed, but could not avoid a collision.

Senior coroner for Gwent David Bowen was told Mr Williams spent the previous evening with a friend in Caldicot. They drank several cans of lager, and he left on his bicycle around 1am.

The incident happened outside Northgate House B&B. Mr Williams’ bike was found 60 metres back, in nettles at the path side. He had nearly two-and-a-half times the legal driving limit of alcohol in his blood.

Mr Williams’ father had died recently, and Mr Bowen was told he had difficulty sleeping, and would go out on his bike at all hours to clear his head.

Mr Bowen said Mr Williams’ position on the road raised the question of whether he had lain there deliberately. But he could not be sure of that, and added: “It is far more likely his lying on the road is rooted in the amount of alcohol he had consumed.”

The coroner concluded Mr Williams' death was misadventure.