The family of a man who died in a police pursuit have called for police to stop chasing drink drivers.

Mathew Young, of Wroslyn Road, Freeland, was being followed at high speed by police when his green Rover 620 veered off the A4095, between Witney and Long Hanborough, in the early hours of Sunday November 11 last year.

A jury at Oxford Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday that 31-year-old Mr Young had been drinking throughout the evening of his death and had three times the legal alcohol limit for driving.

Yesterday Mr Young’s death was recorded as accidental — a decision that his father, who questioned all witnesses during the inquest, expected.

But he added: “Together with the rest of the family we do not consider that the cause of death given at the inquest fully takes in to account the crucial involvement of the police.

“The only reason Mathew was driving and speeding as he was, immediately prior to the crash, was because he panicked when he was chased by the police car.

“Once the pursuit had started, continuation of it denied Mathew of the one opportunity that might possibly have saved his life.

“That opportunity was to be in a position to think calmly and rationally.

“Given that opportunity he may well have stopped, or at least have reduced his speed.”

Police had been following him after seeing his car in Witney and had put on their blue lights to try to get him to pull over.

A witness, Doreen Green, said Mr Young was driving at up to 90mph when she saw him near Eynsham Hall.

Natasha Cain, the mother of Mr Young’s seven-year-old son and long term girlfriend, said: “Matt was a happy go lucky guy who loved life.

“Everybody who met him loved him. He had time for everyone.

“Matt was my partner for nine years and I loved him to bits.

“Matt’s death has left a massive hole in our lives, to every single one of us, but more so to our son, Jack, who no longer has his dad in his life.”

“That cannot be right.”

Supt Mick Doyle, head of roads policing in Thames Valley, said Mr Young’s death was a tragedy and he extended his sympathy to his family.

However he said the pursuit by the officers was legitimate and justified and within guidelines of both the force and Association of Police Officers.

He added: “I appreciate the family believe that the police should not pursue anybody as in their view this would be safer.

“The reality is that some 500 people die every year in the UK because people drive when unfit to do so through drinking alcohol.”