A HOLIDAYMAKER died after getting out of a car on a busy motorway near Barcelona and walking into oncoming traffic, and inquest heard.

Allan Laurie, 30, from Salterforth who was described as a ‘lovable rogue’ with a ‘cheeky sense of humour’, had been on a European touring holiday at the time of the accident.

A hearing at Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Laurie, of Cross Flatts Crescent, had travelled with girlfriend girlfriend Nicola Whittaker for a ‘relaxing break’ in June 2010.

She said that she had known Mr Laurie for six years and they had been together for four months.

She told the inquest that couple had first driven to Amsterdam and the start of the holiday Mr Laurie had told her that ‘there was someone looking for him’ and had become convinced during the journey that they were being followed.

Miss Whittaker claimed as they went through Holland, Belgium and France, Mr Laurie became ‘a little paranoid and erratic’, especially after he had smoked cannabis.

She said: “We were in a town called Giron and I wanted to find somewhere to sleep but Allan wanted to carry on.”

They continued to Barcelona and drove round the city but did not stop.

A short time later, with Miss Whittaker driving, they were on a motorway on the outskirts of Barcelona when they stopped in the outside lane due to traffic congestion.

She said Mr Laurie shouted ‘this is it’, before getting out of the car and climbing over the central reservation into the opposite carriageway.

He was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital but died while undergoing surgery. Cause of death was given as multiple injuries.

Coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Laurie’s mother, Carol Lindley, who lives in Lancaster, said all his family were still ‘traumatised and baffled’ by his death.

“None of us had ever witnessed Allan behaving erratically,” she said.

“We still can’t understand what happened. After all that travelling he must have been exhausted.

“He was such a lovely and kind man, he’s sorely missed by all of us.”