A VILLAGER from near Romsey died after his vehicle collided head-on with a tree on the B3035 towards Bishop's Waltham.

Hugh James Wallace Harper, 52, of Church Lane, Plaitford, died on December 3, 2020, after the collision on December 3 2020.

The single vehicle crash happened at around 7.45pm when Hugh had been driving his dark blue Range Rover home from a day of shooting with friends.

He had had left his home around 8am to start shooting around 9am and is believed to have ended around 5.30pm when he stayed on with friends to have a drink.

According to witness, Kevin Miller, the vehicle had not been travelling fast however, when the road began to go downhill and a bend was approaching, the vehicle did not slow down. In a statement, he said: “I don’t remember seeing any breaking, it was then I saw it collide with the tree.

“I stopped and got out; I saw just one person in the driver’s seat. I got my phone to call 999.” He said by the time he had made the call other people had stopped to help.

An inquest at Winchester Coroners Court on September 13 heard that blood tests from the post-mortem discovered Mr Harper was approximately 1.5 times over the drink driving limit.

Police investigator Ben Matthews told the inquest that the electric hybrid vehicle was too badly damaged to be fully examined.

The hearing heard Mr Harper had an undiagnosed condition known as sarcoidosis and may have resulted in a sudden heart attack contributing to the collision.

Mr Harper was also taking medication for type two diabetes and asthma.

Retired cardiologist and family friend Gordon Jackson told the inquest: “I got to see the post-mortem and was immediately struck by the finding of sarcoidosis. There were no obvious symptoms of sarcoidosis. One can suffer effects of sarcoidosis with no obvious symptoms.”

The possibility was backed up by a family member Pamela Cantle who told the coroner Hugh’s grandfather and great grandfather had also died of sudden heart failure suggesting there is a history within the family.

Senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson said: “Evidence as I’ve heard it, Hugh had been out shooting with friends. They had spent the whole day shooting and finished around 5.30pm.

“Hugh remained with friends, possibly attending the pub and Hugh consumed some alcohol.

“Police have quite rightly considered a medical event; it is possible medication had interacted with alcohol, but it is difficult to say. Whilst it is a possibility, I think it is a minimal factor.

“Post-mortem evidence has established Hugh was suffering from sarcoidosis, it is difficult to say but I am more persuaded after evidence heard today. My view is that a sudden cardiac event has potentially contributed.”

Hilary Harper, Hugh's widow, said: “Hugh was a senior strategy partner and he worked hard. He was a man who was quietly proud of his achievements and was hugely proud of his two children.”