A 'LOVEABLE' father of three died after he lost control of the van he was driving and crashed into a car parked at a petrol station near Sherfield-on-Loddon, an inquest has heard.

Richard Evans, from Reading, died when the yellow DHL van he was driving hit a silver Volkswagen Passat, which was parked in the BP petrol station forecourt on the A33, at Turgis Green.

Mr Evans was pronounced dead at the scene. No other people were injured.

Following the incident, which happened on Wednesday, February 15, his family paid tribute to him. 

They said: "We have lost a loving son, brother, devoted father to his three children and grandad to Roman. We are all deeply shocked by his sudden passing.

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"We would like to thank all the emergency services that attended the scene of this tragic accident."

An inquest into the 53-year-old's death was held at Winchester Crown Court on Monday, January 22.

Area coroner Jason Pegg told the court that it was "evident he lost control of the van". 

Mr Evans, who was described as a "loveable man" by his manager, was working as a driver at the time of the crash.

The court heard that Mr Evans had seizures in the past but they were not a regular thing and that he had coronary artery disease which could sometimes lead to him becoming faint and collapsing.

Tests showed no alcohol in his system at the time of the crash.

The inquest was told the reason for the crash is not clear with possibilities including Mr Evans fainting or having a seizure.

Mr Pegg said: "Rich, from what I have heard today, is described as a handful, in a good way, and a man who would not speak about how he was feeling.

"I have played the CCTV footage that demonstrated it was a bright dry sunny day, the van driven by Rich is seen coming along the A33.

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"There is a sharp righthand bend, it is clear he is able to drive the van but when it comes to the bend there is no steering around the bend.

"The consequence of this is the van goes onto the verge and continues at its speed and crashes into a petrol pump and a Volkswagen car."

The inquest heard that the CCTV showed Mr Evans had made no attempts to break or steer away.

Mr Pegg added: "I do find at the time it is more likely that he was unable to do so [steer] and it is more likely than not that he had passed out or was distracted."

The cause of death was concluded as an open conclusion.