A MAN who tried to drive home while three times over the drink-drive limit died when his car crashed, an inquest heard yesterday.

Jason Parker, 32, from Bewick Main, Kibblesworth, near Gateshead, had been driving from a pub at 3am on Saturday, May 18, along Station Lane in Birtley, when he lost control of his VW Golf car on a corner. He died instantly of multiple injuries.

Linda Graham, from a nearby caravan park, said she had left the pub with Mr Parker and tried to persuade him to get a lift with her, saying she would drive him back to the pub car park the next morning to pick up his car.

But he drove on ahead and, five minutes later, she came across the scene of the accident.

Accident investigator PC Michael Baxter, of Durham Police, said he estimated Mr Parker had been driving at least 53mph and then attempted an emergency stop when he reached the bend.

North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle recorded a verdict of accidental death.