CABINETMAKER Edward Matthews died of pneumonia less than a week after he crashed his car into a brick wall on his journey home from work.

A High Wycombe inquest heard on Tuesday how the 61-year-old seemed to lose control of his VW Polo on West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe, at 3.30pm on February 16.

Mr Matthews, who worked in Chapel Lane, High Wycombe, walked from his crumpled car to an ambulance after it smashed into a brick wall.

He was taken to Wycombe Hospital but died six days later from pneumonia which developed as a result of a fractured rib he received in the accident.

Passing motorist Eleanor O'Dell said in a statement read out by coroner's officer Geraldine Trickett: "A car in front of me travelled across the road and into the other lane. The driver hit a brick wall."

Mrs O'Dell rushed to see if Mr Matthews, of Watlington, Oxon, was all right and said: "I asked him what had happened.

He said no, he'd just lost control."

Coroner Richard Hulett said: "I think the probable explanation is Mr Matthews was distracted. There is no doubt pneumonia developed as a direct result of this accident."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.