A SOLDIER died after driving to buy cigarettes after a heavy drinking session, an inquest has heard.

The inquest into the death of Jonathan Parr-Ford, 21, who was stationed at Alanbrooke Barracks near Topcliffe, Thirsk, was held in Northallerton Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Mr Ford was at the wheel of his friend's car when it crashed on the B6267 Masham to Thirsk road at Howe, in the early hours of Sunday November 11 last year.

The car, a silver Vauxhall Nova, left the road and hit a small embankment. It flew through the air and collided with a tree.

Mr Ford was certified dead at the scene.

A toxicology report showed he was three times over the legal limit for drink driving.

The coroner heard how on the day leading up to the accident, Mr Ford had a couple of pints, then returned to his flat on the barracks for a night in with friends and his girlfriend.

During the evening he drank about nine cans of lager and several vodka and Red Bull cocktails.

Mr Ford later offered to drive his friend Paul Gallagher to a 24-hour filling station on the A1 at Ainderby Quernhow to get cigarettes.

Mr Gallagher said he had asked Mr Ford if he had been drinking and he had said no.

The crash happened on the way back from the garage.

Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death.