Dad-of-six Bob Calley died when a seven-tonne lorry spun out of control and smashed head-on into his van, an inquest heard.

Mr Calley, 49, of Spareacre Lane, Eynsham, died on December 15 last year when the lorry, driven by Maurice Goodwill, of Cheney Road, Banbury, swerved after failing to brake.

Mr Goodwill has been interviewed by police regarding an alleged careless driving offence. Oxford Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Mr Goodwill lost control of the lorry, which careered into Mr Calley's oncoming Fiat Scudo van, on the A4260 Oxford to Banbury Road, south of the Hopcroft's Holt crossroads.

Dr Godman Greywoode, a consultant pathologist at Horton Hospital in Banbury, said Mr Calley died from multiple injuries.

Mr Calley, who worked for Kidlington firm Crystal Spring Water Company, was on his way to meet a customer when the tragedy happened. Following Mr Calley's death, villagers in Eynsham immediately started a collection for his wife Ruzia, 40, and their sons Simon, Chris, Andy, Matthew, Adam and Thomas, whose ages range from four to 20. Mrs Calley wept as evidence of the accident was read out in court.

Accident investigator Pc Mark Howard, of Thames Valley Police, said neither vehicle was exceeding the speed limit at the time of the accident.

The speed limit on the stretch of road is 60mph, but the lorry was not permitted to travel faster than 50mph. The court heard that traffic began to brake when driver Mark Lane, of Chipping Norton, slowed down to turn right at 7.25am. Mr Goodwill swerved after braking and then collided head-on with Mr Calley's van.

Mr Calley was a cooler care technician with his Kidlington firm. He was also well-known at Eynsham Boys Football Club where he coached some of the young players.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner said: "The lorry went out of control when it attempted to slow down for traffic ahead of it, and then came into Mr Calley's path."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Story date: Thursday 15 April

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