A MAN died after he lost control of his car on a sweeping bend, sending it careering sideways into an oncoming vehicle.

Kyle Martin, 21, of Bradfield Heath, was on his way back from the pub when he lost control on a blind bend between Bradfield and Mistley.

He unsuccessfully tried to regain control before his VW Polo’s back end crossed the wrong side of the road on Brickman’s Hill.

It was then hit by a BMW 318, throwing both cars across the road.

An inquest held on Wednesday heard Mr Martin, a landscape gardener, died at the scene. A post mortem examination showed he had multiple injuries.

Mr Martin had met friend Michael Reason down the pub at around 6.30pm on November 28 when they decided to take their cars back to Mr Reason’s house.

Their plan was then for Mr Martin to drive them both into Colchester for a night out.

Mr Reason was following his friend in his Honda car when the accident happened. He was not involved and pulled up at the scene.

The inquest heard Mr Martin was slightly over the drink driving limit and also had a small amount of cannabis in his system, which could have affected his driving.

PC Stephen Perrett, of Essex Police’s forensic collision unit, said Mr Martin had not been wearing a seatbelt and was thrown partially out of his car by the impact.

Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded Mr Martin’s death as an accident.

She said: “It was the most tragic of accidents.”