The family of a father-of-three who died in a road collision have issued a plea to other motorists after an inquest into his death.

Eastern Daily Press: Rik Newton with his sister Carly. Picture: Newton family.Rik Newton with his sister Carly. Picture: Newton family. (Image: Archant)

Rik Newton, 33, from Harleston, died in the single-vehicle crash on The Street, Starston, on January 21 this year.

Mr Newton's fiancée Hannah Briggs and sister Carly Newton paid tribute to him in a statement and also pleaded for other motorists to be careful on the roads.

The statement said: 'Whilst we, as Rik's family and friends are all shocked about the findings of the investigation, we will always remember Rik for the kind, loving and unique person that he was.

'We all miss him terribly, we always will and none more so than his children.

'Nothing we can say or do will change what has happened but we do not want any other family to have to endure what we have been through over the past few months.

'Please don't take risks whilst driving and please don't think it won't happen to you.'

At the hearing at Norfolk Coroner's Court today (Thursday, October 19), Yvonne Blake, area coroner, read evidence that said Mr Newton had 186mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, above the legal driving limit of 80mg per 100ml of blood.

Tests showed there were trace amounts of cocaine and another drug - mephedrone - which is sometimes called meow meow.

Ms Blake said Mr Newton had been drinking in the Cardinals Hat pub in Harleston on the evening of the crash, which happened at around 9.30pm when he was driving his two-door Peugeot towards Pulham St Mary.

She said his estimated speed was 67mph on the 60mph road when he left the carriageway at a left-hand bend, just before the Skinners' Lane junction.

Ms Blake said: 'He came to the left-hand bend, he couldn't make it and the car overturned.'

Mr Newton worked as a scaffolder in Diss and had three children.

Ms Blake offered her condolences to his family.

She said: 'It's terribly sad.

'He was obviously a loved person.'

The inquest heard the medical cause of death was severe head and chest injuries caused by a road traffic collision. Ms Blake gave a short, narrative conclusion that Mr Newton died in a road traffic collision.