A “very caring and loving” 35-year-old farmer from Clatter died from head injuries sustained in a car crash, an inquest heard.

David William Pugh was driving his Isuzu pick-up truck from Trefeglwys to Caersws on the B4569 after an evening out playing pool with friends on September 22, 2019.

An inquest held on January 31 heard that after refusing a lift home with his friend, Mr Pugh, who was not wearing a seatbelt, “lost control” of his vehicle causing it to roll.

Assistant coroner Ian Boyes said alcohol and drug levels were “significant and far in excess” which “no doubt” contributed to the incident.

In a written statement read out in the inquest held in Welshpool, Natasha Jones, who lived near where the crash happened, said she heard a “very loud” rattling noise at about 10.45pm. She went out and found a pick-up truck facing Trefeglwys on the opposite side of the road; however she could not find the driver in the vehicle. Another person at the scene recognised the vehicle belonging to Mr Pugh and rang his mobile phone number. They later found him in a nearby hedge.

A paramedic said she found Mr Pugh’s injuries “not compatible with life” and that he had passed away.

A tribute by his mother, Ann, said he was a “very caring and protecting” son who took over the family farm after he sadly lost his father in 2017.

Mr Pugh, a talented pool and dominoes player, had struggled with his mental health since his late teens. The inquest heard his mental wellbeing declined after the death of his father and found the pressures and stresses of running a working farm did not help.

The assistant coroner concluded that Mr Pugh died as a result of a road traffic collision. Mr Boyes offered his deepest condolences.

If you have been distressed by this report or need help and advice from counsellors, you can ring The DPJ Foundation on 0800 587 4262, Powys Samaritans on 116 123, or Mid and North Powys Mind on 01597 824916.