Crash victim 'over the limit'

Robert Cannings, a plasterer, from Wheelers Lane, had taken ecstasy and was three times over the legal drink-driving limit when his white Astra van crashed into a white Mondeo on the A267, at Cross in Hand, on June 9.

Witness John Everest, of Tunbridge Wells, told the inquest, at Eastbourne Magistrates Court, on Tuesday, how he had seen Mr Cannings's van veer erratically over the road and hit the kerb.

It then crossed the road and hit the Mondeo which was travelling in the opposite direction, south-bound.

He said: 'As it hit the Mondeo the van catapulted back from the accident into the other side of the road.'

In a statement read out in court witness Pamela Carey told how she heard an 'horrific noise' as the cars hit and saw parts of them fly into the air from the force of the impact.

The Mondeo driver Daniel Townsend, of The Holt, Hailsham, said he had no chance to manoeuvre around the van.

'I just thought, Oh my God I'm going to die,' he said.

He suffered internal and shoulder injuries.

Coroner Alan Craze said his seat belt and air bag, which inflated, probably saved his life. 'You are very lucky to be here,' he told him.

Mr Cannings was taken to the Eastbourne District General Hospital where he died as a result of multiple injuries.

His friend Michael Tamkin, of Wheelers Lane, said they had stayed awake through the previous night watching boxing on satellite television and drank up to eight pints of lager.

In the morning they visited a local steam engine rally, where they had a further three pints.

It was as Mr Cannings was driving away alone, at around 4.30pm, from the rally that the accident happened.

The verdict: accidental death.