A MAN from Wantage was killed when his car plunged down a '150ft drop' near to the ancient Uffington White Horse monument, the opening of an inquest heard today.

Robert Jefferies, 44, of Stockham Park, was pronounced dead at the scene by air ambulance paramedics on the evening of Sunday, August 19.

Witnesses described hearing a revving engine and screeching tyres moments before the Vauxhall Zafira tumbled down the steep bank off Dragon Hill Road just after 8pm.

Mr Jefferies, a vehicle recovery driver, was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Senior Coroner for Oxfordshire, Darren Salter, told the inquest opening how Thames Valley Police had been notified after the vehicle had rolled down what witnesses had described as a 150ft drop off the rural road.

Speaking at the opening of the inquest at County Hall in Oxford today, Mr Salter said: “Witness accounts state the sound of an engine revving could be heard, followed by tyres screeching, prior to hearing a vehicle tumble down the hill.”

Thames Valley Police have said there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.

According to the coroner, Mr Jefferies, originally from Swindon, appeared to have a history of mental health issues, however, Mr Salter said the investigation was still at its early stages and no conclusions could be drawn.

The inquest in to the death will be resumed on January 9.

Speaking the day after the crash, a police spokesperson said: "Thames Valley Police officers were called at 8.07pm yesterday by the ambulance service following reports of a single vehicle road traffic collision involving a Vauxhall Zafira in Dragon Hill Road, Uffington.

"Officers attended the scene where sadly a man aged in his forties was pronounced dead.

The spokesperson added: "The death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

"A mandatory referral to the IOPC has been made due to the death occurring following police contact."