A FATHER of two was killed in a freak accident when his van was hit head-on by a lorry cab unit which had been shunted into the wrong lane of a motorway contraflow, a Bolton inquest was told.

Paul Stevens, aged 39, died instantly when the vehicle crossed into his lane after being involved in an accident on the opposite carriageway.

Today his family condemned the contraflow system, which they said was inadequate.

Mr Stevens, of Whicheaves Crescent, Little Hulton, was an engineer at Aqua Speed Drain Services in Leigh.

The inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death after hearing how Mr Stevens was the innocent victim of a series of accidents on the M60, near the Eccles interchange.

The accident happened last August as lorry driver Peter Phillips, of Vale Avenue, Horwich, drove anti-clockwise on the M60 at roadworks near junction 12.

He failed to brake in time to avoid a lorry in front, crashing into it and swerving into the second lane, hitting a Volvo lorry unit and forcing it into the contraflow lane and into Mr Stevens's van. Mr Stevens died instantly in the collision. He leaves two children, Elizabeth, aged 13, and Ryan, aged three.

Mr Phillips later admitted driving without due care and attention and was given nine penalty points and a fine.

The inquest heard that the two lanes were divided up by "dollies" or thin posts. Mr Stevens's fiance, Lesley Alcock, said: "We don't think this was enough. In other cases they use concrete divides, or close the road off altogether.

"If it was done to save money or time, was it worth risking a life? I am left to raise his three-year-old child. How do you do that with only a casket of ashes?"

An inspection of Mr Phillips's lorry found its brakes were not up to regulation standards, but the inquest heard it was well maintained and the brakes did not cause the crash. Coroner Jennifer Leeming said: "All road accidents are tragic but it is quite clear this man was greatly loved, a valued employee, and a great family man."

But Mr Stevens's brother, Mark, said: "Paul was so popular. My parents haven't been the same since -- none of us have."