A MUCH-loved family man and foster carer died after his beloved Land Rover Discovery 3 fell on him and dragged him down his driveway while he was working underneath it, an inquest heard.

Robert Leech suffered multiple injuries in the accident on August 15 last year and later died in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

The 46-year-old father-of-two was working on the old vehicle outside his home in Huddersfield Road, Brighouse, when the incident happened at about 12.45pm.

His partner of 23 years, Sally Smith, said in a statement read out in Huddersfield Coroners Court today: "He was a happy-go-lucky family man who would do anything for anyone.

"He loved his life, he loved his family, and we loved him. We miss him terribly."

Mr Leech and his partner were approved as foster carers in 2009 and 25 children had passed through their care, the inquest heard.

Sally said: "Rob always wanted to help people. That was the type of person he was."

The inquest was told that motor enthusiast Mr Leech has disengaged the brake transmission in the Land Rover's gear box while he worked on the vehicle and, coupled with a steep driveway and a worn electronic parking brake, unwittingly caused the vehicle to roll from the jack supporting it.

A neighbour saw the vehicle roll, before finding Mr Leech trapped underneath it, the inquest was told.

West Yorkshire Police collision investigator Robert Crispin said: "The parking brake was not strong enough to hold the vehicle with the gradient and with its low efficiency."

The inquest heard that the Land Rover was in a poor state of repair.

A statement from Mr Leech's friend Michael Quinn was read out in court. In it, Mr Quinn said he had told Mr Leech to sell the Land Rover because "it was old and had high mileage".

Mr Quinn said it was his intention to finish the work on the Land Rover that Mr Leech had started, make it roadworthy and give it to Sally.

Mr Leech was born in Halifax and was one of five children. His partner Sally said he "loved everything with an engine in", especially motocross bikes and off-road cars.

Assistant coroner Oliver Longstaff recorded a conclusion of accidental death, and said: "For a great many people, Mr Leech was a very special man. He had magnificent personal qualities, reflected in taking on a challenging role of foster carer over many years.

"Mr Leech liked his hobbies and he liked working on motor vehicles. There was nothing to suggest he was slapdash about his hobby. He was enthusiastic."

Mr Longstaff added: "I don't think that Mr Leech was probably aware that by removing the prop the brake transmission in the gear box would cease to function.

"He may have thought the parking brake was sufficient enough to hold the vehicle.

"It is a matter of regret that the vehicle was not held by chocks."