A “hugely respected” police inspector and father-of-three died after overtaking a car on his way home from work, an inquest has concluded.

Dyfed-Powys Police Inspector Gareth Earp, 43, was driving along the A470 between Llangurig and Rhayader on June 29 last year when his black Volkswagen Golf collided with a Range Rover travelling in the opposite direction.

An inquest hearing at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court on Monday, June 17, concluded that Inspector Earp died at the scene from “traumatic” injuries caused by the road traffic collision.

The driver of the Range Rover involved in the collision was treated for his injuries in hospital.

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Inspector Earp was a hugely popular figure in his hometown community of Rhayader and was well known for his involvement with both senior and junior football throughout Powys.

He was a youth football coach and official, having played previously for both Rhayader Town and St Harmon, and at the time of his death he was chairman of Rhayader Town Football Club.

His widow Tamsin described him as a “brilliant” dad to their three sons Ethan, Theo and Joel, and a husband who would “do anything for me”.

“Aside from policing, football was Gareth’s passion – so much so, that I ended up becoming a ‘football mum’ so we could spend time together,” Tamsin said.

“He was a brilliant dad, and the kids are so grounded because of him. He was fun but also strict when he needed to be.

“As a husband, he would do anything for me. Everything we do now, we do to make him proud.”

Inspector Gareth Earp was a loving husband to his wife Tamsin.Inspector Gareth Earp was a loving husband to his wife Tamsin. (Image: Earp family)

Tributes poured in from across Wales and beyond following his tragic death including from the King and Queen.

King Charles and Queen Camilla held a private meeting with Tamsin and her three sons during a visit to Powys last summer.

“It was very emotional, especially for our sons,” Tamsin said about the meeting, which was held the day before her husband’s funeral.

“I remember Queen Camilla wrapping her arm around my youngest and saying, ‘don’t be afraid’. She told us how she still speaks to her dad [who died in 2006] every day."

The King personally wrote a letter, which is framed in the family home, expressing his deepest sympathies.

Inspector Earp had been due to be the team leader for the Dyfed-Powys Police motorbike escort during the royal couple’s Powys visit.

In it, the King said: “I wanted to write and say how greatly shocked and saddened I was to hear the utterly tragic news about your husband, Gareth.

“My wife and I cannot bear it for you that you should have to endure such a cruel and heartbreaking tragedy and you have no idea how deeply we feel for you and your three sons.”