Horse rider Matthew Puckett died in a car crash last June after suffering from the fatigue of setting up his own business, an inquest has heard.
Mr Puckett, 22, of Round Barrow close, Colerne, was travelling home along the A420 from Chippenham on June 30 when he crashed his Volvo S40 just before Biddestone crossroads.
Speaking after the inquest, held in Trowbridge Town Hall on Monday, Mr Puckett’s father John thanked his son’s friends for their support “through this awful time.”
He said: “The outcome of the inquest does not really help us come to terms with what happened, nothing ever will, but it is just a tick in the box in helping us know what happened.
“His friends and all our family have pulled together and I would like to thank each individually.”
His mother Nicky Williams added: “No words can express our heartfelt gratitude to the special kindness of strangers who were first to stop that night, who stayed with Matthew until the emergency services arrived.
“It gives us great comfort to know that Matthew was not alone.
“Our lives will never be the same without Matthew; he was an exceptional young man with an infectious laugh and a wicked sense of humour.”
“A son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and, not forgetting, a fine horseman, he has left a gaping hole in all our lives.”
Assistant coroner David Ridley recorded a verdict of accidental death after he heard how much effort Mr Puckett was ploughing into his new livery and horse riding business.
He said: “It is quite clear he was passionate for horses and well known in the equestrian world for his commitment to the sport.
“He was throwing everything into getting his business up and running including working long and physical hours and travelling widely.
“I believe that this demanding lifestyle contributed significantly to the collision.”
Post mortem tests proved that alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the collision.
The only defect found on his car was that all the tyres were under-deflated by up to 20 per cent, but this was deemed not to have been a factor.
The inquest was told that one of the first people on the scene, Dr Richard Harper, tried in vain to get into the car to try and save Mr Puckett. But the roof had collapsed, stopping him from getting in.
The cause of death was established as a traumatic brain injury caused by a road traffic collision.
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