A man died after he jumped from his moving car and into the path of a lorry on a busy motorway, an inquest has heard.

Robert Charles Keith, whose address was given as Rottkamp in Belm, Germany, had been driving a white BMW on the M20 near Ashford last month.

Opening an inquest into his death at Oakwood House in Maidstone on Monday, coroner Sarah Clarke said the 38-year-old product and furniture designer died from multiple injuries.

“Mr Keith was booked onto a 9.10am ferry leaving from Dover,” said Ms Clarke.

“He was travelling along the M20 coastbound in a white BMW when he slowed down and then jumped out of the vehicle.

“The vehicle then crashed into the verge of the carriageway.

“The cause of death was given as multiple injuries.”

It was not said at the hearing whether anyone else was in the vehicle at the time.

A full inquest will be held on May 31.

Emergency services attended the M20 and Mr Keith was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Responding to KentOnline’s request for comment shortly after the incident, a spokesperson for Kent Police said that the man was struck by a tanker lorry while on foot at approximately 7.45am on Friday, February 23.

They added that two cars, a van and a tanker were involved in the collision, which occurred not far from the bridge by Evegate Business Park in Smeeth.

Officers closed the coastbound carriageway near Ashford for six hours following the incident between Junctions 10a and 11.

Drivers were diverted onto the A20 before National Highways reopened the motorway at about 2pm.