POPULAR Crawley man died after crashing a friend's car while he was over the drink drive limit, an inquest heard.

Paul Chilton died instantly when he lost control of a silver BMW on a country lane.

The car crashed into a tree before careering into a field where it ended upside down.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how the 46-year-old self-employed thatcher was not wearing a seatbelt when the accident happened between the village of Crawley and Winchester.

His friend Ben Edwards, 22, who owned the car but was a passenger in the front when it crashed was wearing a seatbelt and survived.

Giving evidence, Mr Edwards said he was working at the Fox and Hounds pub in Crawley where he had one pint to drink that night.

He agreed to take Mr Chilton, of Beeches, in Crawley, and another man Timothy Anderson home after his shift ended.

Mr Anderson, in a statement, said the last time he saw them they were standing next to the BMW, after Mr Edward's gave him a lift home. 

He recalled there had been a conversation that night about the car that evening, he said: “Paul spoke to Ben about what it would be like to drive the BMW, and I said why talk about that now?” referring to Mr Chilton's drinking.

Mr Anderson added Paul was the stronger character and Ben may have gone “along” with the suggestion that Mr Chilton drive.

The inquest heard how Mr Chilton had 20 years of motorbike experience but only passed his driving test four months before the crash.

A police investigation found the driver lost control and was travelling at 66mph on a road with a 60mph limit.

PC Claire Miller said: “The combination of alcohol and speed resulted in a loss of control that led to the vehicle hitting the tree and leaving the road.”

When asked by coroner Karen Harrold if a seatbelt could have saved Mr Chilton's life, PC Miller said: "It is very difficult to say definitely, all we can say is that if you wear a seatbelt you are restrained within a vehicle and there is more of a chance you can survive."

Mr Chilton died from severe head, chest and stomach injuries according to a post-mortem.

Toxicology results showed Mr Chilton had 127milligrams of alcohol in his blood, when the legal limit is 80mg in 100 ml of blood.

Ms Harrold recorded a verdict of death due to a road traffic collision.

She said: "It is clear to me that if he was wearing a seatbelt his injuries would have been less severe and he may have survived."

After the hearing Mr Chilton's father Alan paid tribute to his son who was a member of Crawley Crows cricket club.

He was also the village tree warden in Crawley and had worked as a chef and behind the bar at the Fox and Hounds pub for many years.

Mr Chilton said: “They called him Jester, everybody knew him as that, he was lovely man and was in a stable relationship. I think the big warning is from this, is that you must wear a seatbelt.”