A MOTORIST died after he was run over by his own car while trying to carry out repairs, an inquest heard.

David Howarth, 54, had stopped at a lay-by near the remote Widdop Reservoir when the car ran out of control down a hill and trapped him underneath, crushing his right leg.

The inquest heard he was trapped under the car for several hours until a passing motorist stopped and called the emergency services.

Mr Howarth, of Chessington Green, Burnley, was taken to Burnley General Hospital where he had an operation to amputate his injured leg.

However, he died in hospital six days later after suffering an infection caused by the injury.

Mr Howarth's wife Erica told the court her husband suffered from depression and frequently went out driving to his favourite spots to clear his head.

She said she had spoken to him on Tuesday, June 3 but called the police after he had failed to return home.

Stephen Dyson, of Woodlands, Huddersfield, told the court he had stopped at a lay-by near the reservoir for a cup of coffee during his daily drive to work in Nelson at about 7am on June 4.

He said: "The first thing I saw was the rear end of a car but I didn't take much notice as there are often abandoned cars in that area. However when I went closer I noticed movement and realised there was an arm waving and I saw a man under the front of the car."

PC David King, of West Yorkshire Police's road policing unit, said an investigation had revealed a loose cable in the engine and it was possible Mr Howarth had pulled over to try to fix it.

He said: "It is possible that the driver was making some sort of adjustment and pulled the car closer to the edge of the lay-by and it rolled down the hill. He may have tried to run but fell in front of the vehicle and became trapped."

Acting East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: "I have no doubt this was purely a tragic accident."