A YOUNG man killed in a car crash was at least twice the drink-drive limit, an inquest heard.

Edward Sebborn, of Westbury Court, Hedge End, died after smashing his car into an oak tree near Maple Farm in Botley Road.

The 23-year-old was rushed to Southampton General Hospital in the early hours of June 7, last year and died later that day. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy emerged at an inquest in Winchester.

His close friend Luke Searle, 24, of Tennyson Close, Bishop’s Waltham, gave evidence at the hearing. After drinking vodka at a barbecue at Mr Searle’s house, as his friends went to bed, Mr Sebborn said he was going to his car to fetch a sleeping bag.

“I heard the engine after that. There was nothing else we could do,” Mr Searle said.

Afterwards he paid tribute to his friend.

“He was an all round really great guy. A great friend who is going to be missed massively,” he said.

Police forensic investigators believe he lost control of his car while driving around a bend.

Curdridge and Curbridge Residents’ Road Safety Association has been calling for safety improvements in Botley Road for some time.

But Central Hampshire Coroner Grahame Short said post-mortem results showed Mr Sebborn was “at least twice the drink-drive limit”.

He was discovered by a couple in the early hours of June 7. Mr Sebborn was eventually cut free from the wreckage of his Ford Fiesta by firefighters.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.