A popular former Canterbury grammar schoolboy was more than twice the drink drive limit when he crashed into a tree and suffered fatal head injuries.

Owain Boughtwood, 21, was thought to be on his way to see his girlfriend after a night out drinking with a ex-classmate when he took the "impulsive" decision to get behind the wheel.

The tragedy happened near his home in Womenswold last June but an inquest heard his decision to drive after drinking was "completely out of character".

Owain, a talented sportsman who was home for the summer break from university in California, was driving his mother's VW Polo when he lost control of the vehicle on the Sandwich Road between Nonington and Chillenden.

Accident investigator PC Dave Burley told told the inquest in Canterbury that he had discovered the collision started when the car's wheels drifted onto a soft nearside verge.

He believed Owain had "over-corrected" the steering when he attempted to get all the wheels back on the road which led to the car spinning around and slamming into a tree.

Owain suffered massive head injuries and was taken first to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford then to a specialist trauma unit at King's College Hospital.

His father, company director Andrew Boughtwood told the inquest how police had called at the family home in the early hours to tell them that Owain had been seriously injured in crash.

He and Owain's mother Helen followed the ambulance to London as their son was transferred to the trauma unit.

He said: "Staff were keeping him alive and at some stage it became evident he did not have long to live. A consultant told us he had suffered irreparable brain damage and it was agreed to stop his life support."

He then paid a moving tribute to his son, describing him as "bright, articulate, caring and compassionate."

But he also said he was a typical 21-year-old who enjoyed partying.

Asked by the assistant coroner Scott Matthewson about his driving habits, Mr Boughtwood described him as a "very good driver".

"He'd never drink and drive. It was very out of character. He always got a taxi or lift."

But tests revealed Owain had 210 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams.

Another crash investigator PC Mick Sawyer said the level would have "undoubtedly impaired" Owain's driving including his judgement and reactions. He added that there were no other factors which could explain the loss of control.

School friend Lewis Fitchie, of Tankerton Road said he and Owain were catching up with a night out in Whitstable following his return from California.

He said Owain had drunk three bottles of beer, a pint of beer and a Jack Daniels but the understanding was that he was going to stay the night at his home.

He said: "It was never on the cards that he was going to drive. He had never done that before after drinking."

But he said that Owain had "got it into his head" that he would go to his girlfriend's house instead because they planned to go fishing early the next day.

Recording that Owain's death had been an accident, assistant coroner Mr Matthewson described it as a "heartbreaking case".

He said: "He was a bright young man with the world at his feet.

"It's impossible to know why he decided to get into a car at that time. He had never driven before under the influence as far as anyone is aware and the decision was obviously completely out of character.

"He was looking forward to going on a fishing trip with his girlfriend the following day and I find that he made an impulsive decision to get into his car at a time his judgement was probably impaired."

Mr Matthewson said that expert witness evidence pointed to a momentary loss of concentration which resulted in the car drifting onto the verge after which Owain had over-corrected the steering, his reactions and judgement impaired by alcohol.

"He was a bright young man with the world at his feet." - Assistant coroner Mr Matthewson

Owain was a former pupil at Barton Court Grammar School and a talented footballer who had played for Canterbury City as well as Folkestone Invicta and Ashford.

After his death, his family released a statement describing him as a "sweet loyal and decent man".

It continued: "Owain was a much-loved son and the youngest of six children.

"He was part of large, loving family and the fun-loving uncle to nine nephews and nieces. Owain was also a devoted boyfriend to his sweetheart.

"He had recently returned home from Santa Clara University in California where he was two years through his four-year undergraduate course, studying English.

"Owain was a skilled footballer with n awesome left foot and turn of pace.

"He was also a talented cricketer and all-round sportman. He loved music and was teaching himself guitar and drums.

"All of those who had the good fortune to know Owain, recognised how much of a sweet, loyal and decent man he was."