AN EMOTIONAL lorry driver told an inquest how he had no chance of avoiding a man who stepped in front of his vehicle on the M4 near Newport.

Clive Williams, 68, suffered multiple injuries after being hit by the lorry between junction 29 and 30 of the eastbound carriageway on August 21 last year.

Lorry driver John Fox told a Newport inquest how Bridgend man Mr Williams, whose car was pulled onto the hard shoulder with its hazard warning lights on, stepped into the inside lane of the motorway waving his arms as he approached him.

Mr Fox, holding back tears, said: "I couldn't understand why. I tried to pull over as far as I could but I just couldn't pull over anymore.

"It happened so quick. He just moved out out so quick I didn't have time to think."

Another driver, Sheena Ghamy, who was driving in lane outside Mr Fox, said: "I saw a male person run out from the hard shoulder. He ran across and directly into the path of the lorry.

"The lorry didn't stand a chance."

Gwent coroner David Bowen said something unknown must have happened to make Mr Williams, who was on his way to work as a lorry driver in Avon, pull over.

Police found there were no defects on the vehicle.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, he said: "I believe he was trying to flag a colleague down so he could render some assistance.

"He didn't appreciate the distance Mr Fox was from him."