A YOUNG man killed in a car crash was at least twice the drink-drive limit, an inquest heard.

Edward Sebborn, of Westbury Court, Hedge End, died after smashing his car into an oak tree near Maple Farm on Botley Road.

The 23-year-old was rushed to Southampton General Hospital in the early hours of June 7 last year and died later that day. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy emerged at an inquest in Winchester on Wednesday (Jan 8).

His close friend Luke Searle, 24, of Tennyson Close, Bishop’s Waltham, gave evidence at the hearing.

After drinking Vodka at a barbecue at Mr Searle’s house, as his friends went to bed, Mr Sebborn said he was going to his car to fetch a sleeping bag.

“I heard the engine after that. There was nothing else we could do,” Mr Searle said.

Afterwards he paid tribute to his friend.

“He was an all round really great guy. A great friend who is going to be missed massively,” he said.

Police forensic investigators believe he lost control of his vehicle while driving around a bend and the Curdridge and Curbridge Residents’ Road Safety Association have been calling for safety improvements on Botley Road for some time.

But Central Hampshire coroner, Grahame Short, told the inquest that post mortem results showed Mr Sebborn was “at least twice the drink drive limit”.

He was discovered by a couple driving past in the early hours of June 7 and Mr Sebborn was eventually cut free from the wreckage of his Ford Fiesta by firefighters.

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.