A West Ham fan who was driving his six-year-old son to a football match possibly took ecstasy before crashing his car next to the M27, a coroner said.

Simon Jaines died after falling unconscious at the wheel, swerving into the central reservation and ending up in a ditch between junctions three for the M271 into Southampton and two for the A36.

He had fainted earlier that day during a stop at the Rownhams services - and got back in his BMW to continue their trip from Bradford to Bournemouth, the inquest at Winchester Coroner's Court heard.

READ MORE: Cause of death given for BMW driver killed in horror crash on M27 - inquest

Traffic backing up on the M27 after the crash

Traffic backing up on the M27 after the crash (Image: Mark Swann)Area coroner Jason Pegg said it seemed to him the 35-year-old had consumed MDMA - known as ecstasy - and that it was "a possibility" he did so "in close proximity of the time of the collision".

He said this may have caused him to suffer ventricular fibrillation - a condition that stops blood from being pumped properly around his body.

Mr Jaines' son, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered minor injuries in the crash, which saw the car end up in a ditch with its roof torn off and windscreen destroyed.

The inquest heard how the finance business partner had left his home at around 8am on August 11, 2023, in the BMW 330E sport with his son to watch West Ham play Bournemouth the following day.

Stopping for a sandwich and drink at Rownhams services, Mr Jaines sent his final message to his wife: a picture of him and his son with a cone of sweets.

Traffic on the M27 backs up near Rownhams servicesTraffic on the M27 backs up near Rownhams services (Image: R Nas Christo)

It was here that Mr Jaines fainted.

Having got back in the car to carry on the journey, Mr Jaines' son said his father had “felt hot in the car”, the inquest heard.

The court also heard from drivers who witnessed or were involved in the crash.

Hannah Ogley said Mr Jaines' BMW crossed in front of her - and despite her slamming on the brakes of her Ford Fiesta, the vehicles collided.

The BMW then hit the central reservation, before swerving in the opposite direction and crashing into a tree.

Police were called at 1.15pm and found the car in the ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered "extremely severe" injuries.

Data taken from the car's computer showed the accelerator was fully pressed down after colliding with the Ford Fiesta.

The father was found to have MDMA in his blood as well as remnants of cocaine which "reflected recreational use" - but Mr Pegg said he did not believe cocaine was taken in the hours before the crash.

Mr Pegg returned an official conclusion of misadventure.

Speaking during the inquest, Mr Jaines's widow paid tribute to her late husband, saying: "He was really funny and had lots of mates. He would chat to anyone.

"He was a real social guy. Everyone loved him. He was the life and soul of the party."