A GWENT biker was well over the drink-drive limit when he was "catapulted" from his bike, an inquest heard.

Gary Williams, 44, of Rockfield Crescent, Undy, was thrown 15 feet in the air after his 900cc Honda hit the approach to the Parkwall roundabout on the A48, by the St Pierre Golf and Country Club, near Chepstow, on April 1.

Yesterday, an inquest in Newport, heard Mr Williams had ridden his bike to the Coach and Horses pub, Caerwent, where he was seen "having a pint" and playing pool. He and fellow biker Nicholas Darren Davies later rode along the A48, through Caerwent and Crick.

In a statement to the inquest, Mr Davies said he lost Mr Williams en route to the Parkwall roundabout.

"I had no idea where Gary was, but I heard a noise that I cannot explain and then I saw Gary on the grass area of the roundabout."

Witness Richard Wayne Hopkins said: "When he got to the roundabout he was still on the motorbike, but the front wheel was in the air. The rider catapulted from his machine and went 15 feet in the air."

An ambulance was called and Mr Williams was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, but died his injuries.

PC Dean Michael Burnett, based at Croesyceiliog, said the bike was roadworthy and Mr Williams had been travelling at a minimum of 71mph when the accident happened. A blood test showed he had 136 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Returning a verdict of accidental death, Gwent coroner David Bowen said Mr Williams died because of two principle reasons.

"First of all is his speed. The second contributing factor I find was that he taken alcohol," Mr Bowen said.