Wayne Rowlands, who was laughing and joking with his friends, open the van door at 40mph but fell out
A bricklayer told a friend "watch this for a prank", opened a van door, leaned out and fell to his death.
The vehicle was travelling at about 40mph on a narrow road when Wayne Rowlands fell out.
The 27-year-old from Llanrhuddlad near Valley was airlifted to hospital but suffered serious head injuries and died.
An inquest at Caernarfon heard Mr Rowlands had been drinking on the day of the accident in Anglesey on April 14 this year.
Shaun Wharton, who was sitting between the white Ford Transit driver and Mr Rowlands, told North Wales deputy coroner Nicola Jones Mr Rowlands had been "a bit silly" during the journey and he had told him to cool down.
"We were like a bunch of 10-year-olds and we were just laughing when Wayne said 'watch this for a prank'.
"He opened the door and moved into the doorway just hanging off the seat.
"Then he fell. It looked like he slipped. He was just winding us up for a laugh."
The van driver, Robert Glyn Jones, added Mr Rowlands was in high spirts and full of humour.
He said they had been to a building site in Llangefni during the day but had also spent time in a local pub and drinking at a friend's house just before the incident.
Tests showed Mr Rowlands was twice the drink-drive limit.
Mr Jones added the van belonged to Mr Rowlands but as he was insured to drive the vehicle he had been given the keys.
A breath test after the incident showed he was not over the drink-drive limit.
Asked if he saw Mr Rowlands leave the vehicle he said he hadn't.
"I was looking at the road. Shaun shouted 'he's jumped'. I looked in the mirror and saw him rolling on the road.
"I stopped and we went over to him calling for help as we did."
Concluding Mr Rowlands died as the result of an accident, the coroner said: "During the journey Mr Rowlands was in good humour and his usual happy-go-lucky self.
"Without warning he was seen to open the van door.
"He was not wearing a seat belt and made Mr Wharton think he was going to jump. But he slipped off the seat and fell.
"Its too far-fetched to say he was going to jump. I am satisfied he had no intention to jump for a prank or any other reason.
"I believe he was trying to wind his friend up. The alcohol had impaired his judgement."
Mr Rowlands was actively involved in Anglesey football and his death was described as a "huge loss" by officials at Bodedern FC, where he was an assistant manager and former player.
Mirror Online
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