A MAN died when his car skidded out of control after clipping a kerb on a rural Monmouthshire road last June, an inquest was told.

William James Wright's 40-year-old Ford Cortina hit a telegraph pole and landed on its roof in a field almost 100 metres from the initial kerb strike, on slight left hand bend on the B4293 at Lydart.

Mr Wright, aged 41, from Mitchel Troy, who worked at the Millbrook Garden Centre in the village, died of multiple injuries.

Evidence from Gwent Police forensic collision investigator PC Tony Parker, read out by senior coroner for Gwent David Bowen, indicated Mr Wright , the car's sole occupant, was travelling towards Monmouth, the road linking Trellech with the Mitchel Troy-Monmouth road.

The speed limit is 60mph. The car's speed was estimated at around 64mph, though there could have been a 10 per cent difference either way, the inquest heard.

The maximum speed the bend could be taken at was 67mph, again with 10 per cent leeway.
After examining site and vehicle, PC Parker concluded the car's rear nearside wheel struck the kerb, causing it to spin. Significant damage was caused when it hit the telegraph pole, and Mr Wright had been thrown from it.

There were no witnesses, though a Lydart resident told police they heard the car and it had sounded like it was travelling quickly.

No defects were found on vehicle, there was no evidence of emergency braking prior to the kerb strike, and no alcohol was present in Mr Wright's body.

The incident happened at around 4.15am on June 20 this year. Mr Wright's father Geoffrey told Mr Bowen his son had problems sleeping and had probably gone out for an early morning drive.

Conclusion: accidental death.