The son of a former equerry to the late Duke of Edinburgh was killed when he was hit by a van as he a apparently tried to hitch a lift, an inquest heard.

The Honourable Robert Wigram, known as ‘Bertie,’ died from multiple traumatic injuries after the collision on the A48 at Wintles Hill, near Westbury just after 3am on June 13 last year, the Gloucester inquest was told.

Assistant Gloucestershire Coroner Roland Wooderson recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

Mr Wigram, 42 lived at the High Nash community in Coleford which supports adults with learning disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, mental health conditions or drug and alcohol addiction.

His father Andrew, the 3rd Baron Wigram of Poulton Fields, Cirencester was an equerry to Prince Philip. 

The coroner said he had received a number of statements from people driving on the A48 that night who had seen a man on the roadside.

The driver of the Transit van which collided with Mr Wigram , Mr Kuwait Theirendran, stated that he was returning from Devon to Cinderford and had just past the Esso Garage at Wintles Hill when he saw a ‘ghost like man appear on the left from nowhere with his arms up above his head.’

Mr Theirendran stated “I saw him for a split second. He was stood on the road.”

The van driver tested negative for both alcohol and drugs after the collision.

See The Forester – out on Wednesday (April 19) for the full story