The driver of a white van was killed after apparently deciding to cut from the main carriageway to a slip road at the Dartford Crossing, an inquest heard.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded by coroner Roger Hatch after witnesses told how the van hit the central barrier and went out of control last May into the path of a lorry laden with 32 tons of sand.

PC David Burley said the van driver, Tony Charles, 51, of Brackendale Grove, Luton, was driving too close to another truck, swerved late to take the A2 slip road before losing control.

Another driver said he saw a rear wheel come off before Mr Charles collided with a sand lorry driven by Iqbal Singh Rai, of Slough.

Mr Hatch said: “Mr Rai had no chance to avoid that collision.”

He recorded an accidental verdict.