A “well-loved” Wiltshire father died in a head-on crash after another driver lost control of their vehicle in “hazardous conditions”, an inquest heard.

Daniel Wiles, known to many as Dan, suffered fatal injuries during a serious collision on the B4069 at Kents Bottom, near Yatton Keynell, shortly before 7.30pm on January 16 last year.

The smash occurred on a night of chaos on Wiltshire’s roads, sparked by wet surfaces and freezing conditions, as police were called to 35 incidents, four of which were described as serious.

The 34-year-old, from Castle Combe, had been driving his white Audi southbound when a Honda CRV, driven by James Middleton, came round a bend and crossed into his lane, causing a head-on crash.

Dan, who was not wearing his seatbelt, suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics after emergency services were called.

Forensic Collision Investigator PC Michelle Jones explained freezing temperatures had caused ice to form, where water had pooled on the carriageway, creating “hazardous conditions.”

This was “a factor” in Mr Middleton losing control of his vehicle, leading to the fatal collision.

There was no evidence to suggest either driver was speeding.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The crash scene near Yatton KeynellThe crash scene near Yatton Keynell (Image: SWNS)

Multiple witnesses reported losing control of their vehicles due to ice at the same location, shortly before and after the crash, describing the road surface as a “huge sheet of black ice.”

PC James Barrett, of the Serious Collision Investigation team, said a sudden freeze had caught out drivers across the county.

He added: “I’ve never known a night like it… it’s very hard to put into words that night itself, it was like something out of a film.”

Neither Dan nor Mr Middleton were under the influence of drugs or alcohol and no mechanical defects were found with either vehicle.

At an inquest on Wednesday, January 24, Area Coroner Ian Singleton recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision.

Dan was a father of two and had been happy in the months before he died, said his sister Samantha.

She added: “He couldn’t have been more proud… he was happy.

“He had a family and a job he loved. He was extremely well-loved and his passing has left a hole.”

After his death, Dan’s family were inundated with tributes and messages, and Samatha said she wished he could have seen how much he meant to people.

In a statement at the time, the family said: “Known to many around the Chippenham area Dan would have been so honoured with the messages we have all received.”