A BROMSGROVE man who crashed into a lamppost on the A441 Alvechurch Highway near Redditch was under the influence of alcohol and speeding at the time of his death, an inquest has heard.

James Gerard McGeown, aged 46, of The Duke of York Public House in Broad Street, died of multiple injuries in a road traffic collision.

Mr McGeown’s blue Nissan Almera crossed the central reservation and crashed into the lamppost at about 2.30pm on Tuesday, March 17.

He was unconscious when ambulance crews arrived but went into cardiac arrest and died at the scene.

The road was closed for most of the evening while police carried out an investigation.

Following his death a number of tributes were posted to the Advertiser Facebook page.

Shell Watts said: “My dear friend James. Absolutely heartbroken you are taken from us in this awful way, you were the best friend I could have ever wished for. You party hard up there until we meet again. Love and miss you always.”

The inquest, held at Worcestershire Coroner's Court, was opened on March 20 and closed on July 22.