AN Abergavenny man died when his car spun out of control as he drove at excessive speed in torrential rain, an inquest was told.

Frank Mason Nash, aged 55, was returning home to Llanddewi Rhydderch from the Mazda garage in Cardiff where he had taken his MX5 for a bodywork inspection on August 5.

An inquest at Tredegar yesterday heard that, as he drove northbound on the A4042 past the Secret Garden garden centre, he lost control of the car and spun across the carriageway.

Despite trying to correct the spin, he collided side on with a Fiat Tipo travelling in the opposite direction.

David Cheedy, of Pontypool, whose wife Marie, 59, was driving the Tipo, told the inquest it was "dirty weather" and that she had no way of avoiding the crash.

Vehicle examiner PC Christopher Goddard, who was called to the scene around 15 minutes after the accident, confirmed at the inquest that Mrs Cheedy had no chance of avoiding the Mazda.

PC Goddard added: "The Mazda had been described as being driven at excessive speed for the conditions."

The car ended up on the verge, with Mr Nash and Mr and Mrs Cheedy all trapped in their vehicles.

Witness Richard Dewsnap, who was behind the Tipo, saw the impact and managed to stop to help, calling the emergency services.

Mr Cheedy suffered a broken ankle, fractured ribs, internal injuries and cuts.

His wife's foot was crushed so severely doctors feared she would lose it. She also had a broken leg, cracked pelvis and ribs' and cuts to her head.

Mr Nash died in hospital 18 days later on August 23.

A post mortem examination showed he died as a result of a pulmonary embolism caused by a deep vein thrombosis.

Gwent's deputy coroner Wendy James recorded a verdict of accidental death.

She said: "The collision occurred because Mr Nash was driving at an excessive speed for the weather conditions.

"He lost control unexpectedly and his corrective action led to his vehicle spinning out of control. Mr Nash's action were both unintended and unintentional."