A group of friends killed when their speeding car crashed into a parked lorry were travelling at about 125mph beforehand, an inquest has heard.

Mohammed Muqtadir, Shahjahan Miah and Nicholas Rodney all died at the scene of the early-morning accident on the A2 between Canterbury and Faversham.

The friends were returning to their home in London following a night out in Dover, where they had sat on the beach drinking alcohol, smoking cannabis and looking at the moon.

The triple inquest, heard at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone, has been adjourned so that video evidence can be viewed at a later date.

The court is yet to hear toxicology reports but police confirmed the group had earlier been drinking and smoking cannabis.

A fourth friend, Turan Senpalit, who was also in the car, was lucky to survive but suffered life-changing injuries and is now wheelchair-bound.

Following the crash at Dunkirk, a 35-year-old French lorry driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, but has since been released without charge.

Police deemed that his stationary lorry, which was parked up in a slip road leading to a layby, was sufficiently far enough away from the dual carriageway. The HGV's parking lights, however, were not switched on.

The "inseparable" friends had only just got back on the A2 after stopping at a McDonald's at nearby services.

Video footage taken from inside the car shows that "relaxed" driver Mohammed was travelling at almost 130mph before he took evasive action when a HGV moved into the right-hand lane.

To avoid hitting the lorry, Mohammed moved into the slower lane but strayed too far to the left and hit the stationary lorry parked up in a slip road. At the time of impact, it is thought the Mercedes was travelling at 67mph.

The family of 31-year-old Mohammed said: "Words cannot describe Mohammed, he was a loyal friend, caring brother, loving partner and wonderful son.

"He would go out of his way for everyone he encountered and he is greatly missed by his community. The impact of his death has left a hole that cannot be replaced."

Friends of the tragic men to lose their lives were following them up the A2 and witnessed the crash. Two of the friends will be giving evidence when the inquest resumes.

The family of father-of-two Nicholas, 39, who was the front seat passenger, say they are still struggling to come to terms with his death.

Describing him as an intelligent and kind-hearted individual, they said: "Our family has been rocked to our foundations by the tragic loss of Nicholas and with every passing day without him the pain intensifies.

"His wisdom and all round positive attitude was an inspiration."

Assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn adjourned the inquest. A date for its conclusion is yet to be finalised.