A FATHER-of-three who died after after his 4x4 overturned on holiday in France was almost two-and-a-half times the legal drink drive limit, an inquest heard.

Haulage worker Paul Crowther, 46, suffered spinal injuries when he lost control of his Toyota Land Cruiser on New Year's Day in treacherous conditions.

His wife, Susan Crowther and her brother, John Gamble, were both passengers in the vehicle when it crashed.

John, 37, managed to clamber free from the wreckage and raise the alarm, despite suffering broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Susan, who was trapped in the back of the vehicle, suffered a broken leg, ankle and neck.

Oldham Coroners' Court heard Mr Crowther, from Springhead, had drunk wine and beer at two restuarants throughout the day.

A statement from Mr Gamble said that he thought Mr Crowther had drunk half a bottle of beer and two glasses of wine.

But French toxicology reports put the level of alcohol in Mr Crowther's system at two-and-a-half-times the British legal limit for driving.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Simon Nelson paid tribute to an `industrious, caring family man'.

He said: "I cannot ignore the grossly irresponsible risks of consuming alcohol when driving. That said, it does not detract of from what type of person Mr Crowther was.

"I don't know if it will be of any help, but I hope that the family can reflect on his tremendous attributes rather than the tragic way in which he came about his death."

Speaking after the case, Mr Crowther's father Bernard said that Paul's three children, Alison, 24, Louise, 21 and 16-year-old Michael were devastated by his death.

Mr Crowther said: "He was kind and generous and everyone is getting on with great difficulty, especially his children who are at the age when you need your dad."

Mr Crowther's vehicle crashed on a sharp bend in Chalus, south west France at 8.15pm. The temperature was said to have been -5C with black ice on the road.

There was no warning sign before the bend. A French police report put the crash down to the conditions and the severity of the bend.

Mr Crowther had converted a barn in the region and was holidaying with family at the time.

His body was recovered from the road. It is unclear whether he was wearing his seatbelt.