Drunken actions led to tragic death

An inquest heard that Thatcham man Matthew Webb was struck and killed by a car as he lay in the road after a night out

A DRUNKEN prank ended in tragedy when a Thatcham man, dicing with death by lying in the road, was struck and killed by a car.

An inquest in Newbury yesterday (Wednesday) heard how 37-year-old Matthew Webb had pulled the stunt several times that evening.

But his luck ran out when motorist Chloe Claridge failed to spot him and ran him straight over, killing him instantly, the hearing was told.

Mr Webb died from multiple injuries on the spot at Station Road, Thatcham.

The inquest heard he had been on a night out at The Plough Inn, Chapel Street, Thatcham, on November 14 last year with friends Olly Lee and Daniel Gringell when the trio decided to walk into the town centre.

On the way, said Mr Gringell, Mr Webb was “full of high spirits, just being crazy” and had drunk beer, Sambuca and rum.

He added: “We told him to stop being stupid.”

The hearing was told how Mr Webb was knocking on doors and running away before events took a more dangerous turn.

Mr Webb began lying down in front of oncoming traffic, forcing motorists to swerve across the road to avoid him.

One driver, Jenny Harris, said in a statement: “The man walked into the road and got down on all fours. He turned to me and grinned - he was blocking my path. However, I was able to drive around him on the other side of the road.”

Off-duty police officer Pc Matthew Harris spotted him and challenged him and said: “He seemed to be smirking.”

Before the officer could take further action, the inquest heard, Mr Webb jumped up and ran off, laughing.

Pc Harris said: “When I got home I was angry at the man for endangering himself and others.”

Mr Lee and Mr Gringell walked on ahead and, as a Peugeot car passed them they realised that Mr Webb was once again laid in the middle of the road.

Fearing for his safety, they waved their arms to alert the driver but Ms Claridge said: “I don't know how I didn't see him there but there were lots of people and I got distracted.”

She said that she went over what she believed to be a speed bump and that she though she had burst a tyre and added: “But then I saw there was a person lying in the road.”

Taxi driver David Eggleton, who witnessed the horror, said: “In a split second, that was it.”

Berkshire Coroner Peter Bedford said that, although Mr Webb was a grown man, “his actions were not mature.”

He added: “These actions I believe, led to his tragic and unnecessary death. To lose your life in these circumstances is a tragic waste of life.”

Recording a verdict of misadventure, Mr Bedford added: “Matthew was not in the road by accident, it was deliberate. He did not expect or wish that that would lead to his death.”

After the hearing Mr Webb's brother Gareth said he hoped the tragedy would act as a warning to others to be more careful when they had been drinking and added: “How many more incidents need to happen before people take notice?”