A DRIVER high on ecstasy died after he lost control of a car and crashed into a post box, a coroner's court heard yesterday.

David Nowlin, 21, of Brinkburn Avenue, Darlington, was travelling at up to 67 miles per hour in the Albert Hill area of the town on February 14, 2002, which has a speed limit of 30mph.

Toxicology reports showed he had MDMA in his blood, otherwise known as the drug ecstasy.

An inquest into his death at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday heard he had two passengers in the car at the time of the crash in Cleveland Street.

Graham Martin, of Brinkburn Road, Darlington, was working as a taxi driver at the time of the accident and saw the car speeding.

He told the court: "I started to drive up Albert Road when I heard the sound of a crash.

"As I drove up, I saw the vehicle was embedded around a pillar box. I rushed over to see if there was anything I could do. I phoned the police and ambulance service immediately."

Sergeant William Dutton, of Darlington Police, was the first officer on the scene and told the court he had spoken to the front seat passenger, who told him the driver may have taken ecstasy.

Accident investigator PC Ian Hague said it had been dark at the time of the accident, but the weather had been fine and the road dry. He said the vehicle had a number of defects, but they did not contribute to the accident.

Coroner Andrew Tweddle recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "The combination of being under the influence of drugs and travelling too quickly led to him losing control of the car."