THE family of a St Dogmaels man who died after he was run over by a car while lying on the road have paid tribute to him as “the glue that helped to bring communities together”.

Steffan Thomas, 32, died after suffering injuries when he was hit by a car travelling on the Fishguard Road near Cardigan’s Ridgeway roundabout in the early hours of 1 October.

An inquest into Mr Thomas’s death heard that he had been lying in the road after a night out drinking and that motorist Shaun McCrory had thought Mr Thomas was a “sleeping bag” that had been left in the road.

Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton, who gave a verdict of misadventure, said Mr McCrory would have had no time to avoid Mr Thomas, a popular member of St Dogmaels Football Club, during the incident.

Mr Thomas’s family thanked authorities for their handling of the sad case while also thanking and praising the local community for their support of the family.

A statement said: “The support reflects how popular Steffan was among his contemporaries, his co-workers and everyone who came into contact with him.

“Steffan was grounded in his local community, working locally and contributing generously to the social fabric of St Dogmaels and the vicinity, especially through serving his beloved local football club both as a player and administrator.

“In many ways he was the glue that helped to bring communities together.

“In no way can we attempt to fill the void that Steffan’s departure creates, but the countless memories and the warm and tender care of Steff’s friends and the wider community are of great comfort.

“Perhaps the most notable tribute we can pay Steffan today is to remember that everyone, whether friend or stranger, concluded conversations with Steff with a broad grin on their faces or a bout of mischievous laughter.”

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