A CWMBRAN man died after his Land Rover rolled back and struck him, an inquest has heard.

Former Argus worker Reginald Gerald Harper, known as Gerry, died on February 12 outside his daughter’s home in Llanfrechfa.

Gwent Coroners Court, sitting in Newport earlier today, heard how 74-year-old Mr Harper had owned a Land Rover Discovery for 11 years before owning a Land Rover Freelander for 12 months prior to his death. Both vehicles were automatic.

The inquest heard how Mr Harper, his wife Mary and their daughter, had been out shopping and had lunch together. Mr Harper was driving and dropped their daughter off at her house before making their way back home.

Mr Harper’s daughter called to say she had left her bag in the car so they turned around and returned to the home in Edgehill, the court heard.

On arrival, Mr Harper went to the boot of the car to retrieve his daughter’s bag before his wife handed it over to her, the court heard. Mrs Harper said she turned back to see the car moving backwards and her husband shouting her name, before he was “sucked or dragged underneath the car”.

Mr Harper was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, where he died later.

Gwent Police Sergeant Robert Witherall, senior investigative officer with the Roads Policing Unit, said the reverse gear had been selected and the engine was still running when emergency services arrived on scene.

He concluded the “disturbance” of closing the boot would have been enough to mobilise the vehicle, the court heard.

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Harper died as a result of multiple injuries.

David Bowen, Gwent chief coroner, said: “Having brought the vehicle to a stop, your father got out to the rear of the Freelander to retrieve the bag and having done so, slammed the boot and that was sufficient to start the Freelander moving.

“It's engine was still running and it's door locked.”

Mr Harper’s son Dean told the inquest: “I’m convinced he thought it was in parking and not in reverse.”

Following the hearing, he told the Argus: “We still find it very difficult to deal with. His funeral was exceptionally well-attended, which just showed he was extremely well-loved by everybody.

“He was just an amazing chap.”

Mr Harper worked for a number of years at the Argus as a self-proclaimed “photo setter”, and took great pride in his work.

Former colleagues have described him as “leading the Argus's early forays into photosetting”.

Mr Bowen recorded a verdict of accidental death.