THE inquest of a rugby league fan who died in a car crash has taken place.

Gerald Seddon, 64, of Sturgess Street, Newton-le-Willows, was driving on St Helens Road in Leigh after seeing his side, Leigh Centurions, fall to defeat on their first game of the season on Sunday, February 4.

His son Matthew Seddon and friend Gareth Holden were passengers in his Austin mini car that he adored and drove for years.

Gerald was driving towards his home in Newton-le-Willows before the collision with a white BMW, which was going in the opposite direction.

Assistant coroner Susan Duncan heard evidence by pathologist Dr Wells who reported that Mr Seddon died at the scene after suffering multiple injuries.

Dr Wells also read out a report carried out by the toxicologist who worked on the case and said that a post-mortem examination test found the victim had 112 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrammes.

Matthew and Gareth, who were both present at the hearing, defended Gerald and believed he was fit to drive.

The three of them went to watch matches together for years and the pair never remember Gerald having more than a pint and a half of beer when he was behind the wheel.

Serious collision investigator PC Anthony Pye read out a witness statement from a resident who saw the crash and said Mr Seddon’s mini crossed the line when the two cars hit each other.

The BMW driver was described as being on the right side of the lane as he was preparing to turn right on to Jean Avenue.

On the balance of probabilities, PC Laura Drew, from GMP’s forensic collision reconstruction team, could not be sure on how the crash happened but tests indicate that the Mini suddenly veered into the BMW at the moment of impact.