AN accident investigator has told an inquest that a collision in which a student walking home from a party died was caused by pedestrian error.

Richard Maloney had been at fellow student Victoria Simpson's birthday party at Norton, near Stockton.

Ms Simpson, knowing that Mr Maloney had no money, thought he was staying at the house overnight. Instead, he decided to walk home to Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough.

Crash investigator PC Paul Hunter told the inquest on Teesside that the amount Mr Maloney had drunk at the party would have impaired his judgement as he crossed a slip road between the A66 and the A19.

He also said gradients on that part of the A19 Tees Flyover would restrict a south-bound driver's view of any pedestrian on the road, while Mr Maloney's blue denim clothing would present drivers with just a silhouette.

Mr Maloney reached the centre of the Middlesbrough-bound slip road when a taxi turned on to the road from the flyover.

Coroner Michael Sheffield heard that Mr Maloney may have drunk 11 bottles of an alco-pop and a can of lager.

PC Hunter said: "This level of consumption is in excess of 50 per cent greater that the quantity of 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood permitted for a vehicle driver."

He said that amount would have impaired his perception, judgement and reactions.

PC Hunter said the cause of the accident, which happened last May, was "pedestrian error, in failing to judge and correctly assess the speed of an oncoming vehicle."

Firefighters had to cut away the roof of the taxi to reach the driver when he became trapped after his car crashed following the accident.

The taxi driver had not been wearing a seat belt. His sternum, ribs, and one of his feet were broken, and his teeth were damaged as his car collided with a metal road barrier.

Mr Sheffield recorded a verdict of accidental death.