A PENSIONER died after he was run over by his own car, an inquest heard today.

Derek Perriton, 73, suffered multiple injuries when he was dragged under his VW Golf as he tried to stop it rolling down his drive in Chipping Norton.

Mr Perriton had parked in the garage at his home in Tilsley Road shortly after returning from his weekly shop, but forgot to put the handbrake on.

The accident happened at about 10.40am on November 25 last year and the retired engineer was pronounced dead at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital two hours later.

His wife, Joan, 72, had gone inside to put away the shopping while her husband parked the car.

When she went out to the drive, she saw him lying under the vehicle. She said: “Derek and I had a fantastic relationship. He wasn’t only my husband but my best friend.”

Police investigators said the car was in “pristine” condition.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner said: “It was an extremely unfortunate coincidence.”