THE family of a St Dogmaels man who died after being hit by a car has paid a heartfelt tribute to him following an inquest into his death.

Steffan Thomas had been out with friends and was returning to his St Dogmaels home at Rhosgwyn when he was struck by the car on the A487 at Ridgeway, outside Cardigan, in the early hours of Sunday, October 1 last year.

The popular 32-year-old died from multiple injuries, the inquest at Aberystwyth Justice Centre was told this week (Tuesday, May 22).

A conclusion of misadventure was recorded on Mr Thomas and following the inquest, his family issued a tribute to him.

They said: “Family members would like to take the opportunity to thank the various police forces and the coroner for their diligent and sensitive work at a time of oppressive sadness and devastation for us all.

“As we pay tribute to Steffan we would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts the local communities of St Dogmaels, Cardigan and Preseli and to the local and national footballing communities for their steadfast support which has proved so valuable in our darkest hour.

“The support reflects how popular Steffan was among his contemporaries, his co-workers and everyone who came into contact with him.

“Steffan was grounded in his local community, working locally and contributing generously to the social fabric of St Dogmaels and the vicinity, especially through serving his beloved local football club both as a player and administrator.

“In many ways he was the glue that helped to bring communities together.

“In no way can we attempt to fill the void that Steffan’s departure creates, but the countless memories and the warm and tender care of Steff’s friends and the wider community are of great comfort.

“Rare are those who receive an official tribute in a crucial international football game.

“But equally rare are those individuals who help to weave our disparate communities together with an innate ability to get on with everyone regardless of background, age or spoken language.

“Perhaps the most notable tribute we can pay Steffan today is to remember that everyone, whether friend or stranger, concluded conversations with Steff with a broad grin on their faces or a bout of mischievous laughter.

“On Whit Sunday, a football tournament will be held at St Dogmaels in honour of Steff. This will represent the appropriate context for us to remember, reflect and demonstrate pride in what Steff achieved.”

The inquest heard from Mr Thomas’s friend Sam Orme that the pair of them had met up by chance in town that night and decided to go on to a party at Ridegway.

They had been drinking and a post mortem revealed Mr Thomas had 199 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal drink-drive limit is 80 milligrammes.

The pair had left the party at around 3.30am and had gone their separate ways.

“Steff was walking fine and was his usual, happy self,” said Mr Orme. “We were intoxicated but not staggering. I had no idea he had died.”

Car driver Shaun McCrory told the inquest he was driving to his regular early morning shift at Tesco from his Newport home.

“I came around the corner and then suddenly I saw something in the middle of the road. I thought it was a sleeping bag or something like that and drove over it,” said Mr McCrory.

“It was on my side of the road, lying straight across the road.”

He said he had been travelling at around 50-55mph and had no time to brake. He initially thought someone had left something in the road and not until he had stopped and walked back did he realise he had hit someone.

He broke down crying as he rang the emergency services.

Police accident investigator PC David Stacey said he did not believe Mr McCrory would have had a chance to react to avoid the collision.

“It was a low level impact. There is no evidence to suggest Mr Thomas was standing prior to the impact. I am satisfied he was lying on the road,” said PC Stacey.

In recording a verdict of misadventure, Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton said: “I find that Mr Thomas was lying across the north-bound carriageway and it was there that Mr McCrory had the misfortune to come across him.

“Clearly drink was a factor. In my view, he was drunk and he simply lay down when overcome by the effects of alcohol.

“I feel it is right that I should mention that I find Mr McCrory was in no way to blame for this terrible impact.

“There is a great deal of sadness on Mr Thomas’s side. He was a very popular young man, extremely well thought of and a great loss not just to his family but also his friends. You have my very profound sympathy.”