Inquest concludes at Nottingham City Council Coroner’s Court into the death of Wilf Harvey-Davies, from Newark, after he died when car hit tree on Barnby Road, Newark

An inquest has concluded into the death of a ‘kind’, ‘loving’ and ‘smiley’ young man who died after his car hit a tree in Newark.

Wilf Harvey-Davies, 23, died at the scene following a traffic collision on Barnby Road, Newark in July this year.

The inquest into Wilf’s death opened at Nottingham City Council Coroner’s Court on October 30 and was adjourned until November 4 as further inquiries were completed.

Today (November 4), the court heard Nottinghamshire Police forensic collision sergeant David Abbott, and case investigator Louise Melbourne of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.

The inquest heard that former Nottingham Trent University student Mr Harvey-Davies suffered an acute lung injury when his Volkswagen Golf hit a tree.

His death was concluded to have been due to a traffic collision and “acute mixed drug and alcohol toxicity” as the toxicology report revealed that he had 204mg/100ml of ethanol (alcohol) in his blood — more than twice the drink-drive limit — alongside class A drugs cocaine and MDMA.

Police were called to Barnby Road in Newark on Monday July 15 at 5.27am after a member of the public had come across a black Volkswagen Golf which appeared to have collided with a tree.

Following the police appeal for witnesses after the collision, Louise Melbourne, the officer in charge of the investigation, was contacted by two of Wilf’s friends — Jessica and Olivia.

Jessica worked with Wilf at RPS Group and the pair went to The Duck, on Castlegate, Newark, to watch a football match on July 14.

Wilf was described by Jessica to be in a “really good mood” that evening and that “he would never drink and drive if he was the designated driver”.

After a few drinks, where Wilf wasn’t seen drinking on CCTV camera or by his friend Jessica, the pair said goodbye around 3am and Jessica waved him goodbye from a taxi just outside The Duck and he started walking in the direction of his home.

Olivia later spoke to Wilf over text message, and she described him as being “intoxicated” and concerned about having lost Jessica.

Olivia and Wilf then spoke on the phone for 20 minutes, 10 of which he was already at home, and Olivia said that he said he would go to her house, despite her telling him not to drink and drive.

At 3.53am Wilf texted his friend Olivia saying: “I will pick you up from yours.”

Olivia replied at 4.02am: “Just go to sleep”, but the message was never read.

From the evidence and witnesses the police spoke to, no one saw Wilf take drugs that evening.

The neuropathologist who concluded the toxicology report added that he doesn’t believe Wilf had his drink spiked due to the mixture of two different drugs.

A member of staff at The Duck, Joshua Osbourne, said that in the three years he worked at pub there were no reports of anyone having been spiked, however, people had been found taking drugs — mainly cocaine.

Police reported that there was no evidence of drugs at the scene in Wilf’s vehicle or with him. When searching his flat, they found some empty alcohol bottles that couldn’t be linked to a consumption date.

David Abbott, forensic collision sergeant, concluded that Mr Harvey-Davies’ vehicle had a faulty wheel sensor, a faulty braking system, and that the front off-side tyre and near-side tyre were below the legal limit.

Coroner Nathanael Hartley concluded that the death of Wilf was down to a traffic collision.

The court heard a tribute to Wilf read by a family member. It read: “Of all the words used to describe Wilf, none of them have ever been negative.

“He has been described as kind, considerate, conscientious, thoughtful, smiley, steady, calming, considered, loving and the favourite.

“Wilf’s presence in our lives brought only happiness and love. He was a joy.

“This devastating event, and the months that have followed, have made us all ask questions of ourselves, Wilf, and God.

“Wilf made a series of decisions that ultimately led to his death.

“Those of us who loved and adored him will now have to live with the consequences and our lives will never be the same again.

“This last day in Wilf’s life is not how we will remember him.

“In the end, all of us would be found wanting, if we were to be judged and held accountable for our worst day and our most unwise decision.

“Wilf is now in eternity with The Lord and we cannot wait until the day we are reunited with him in glory.”