Andrew Browning, 54, from Folkestone, died after collision on M20
Published: 13:20, 29 April 2019
Updated: 17:11, 29 April 2019
A driver died after his van smashed into a stationary lorry queuing on the M20.
Father of two Andrew Browning, 54, from Folkestone, was driving a white Vauxhall Vivaro near junction 11a of the motorway when he hit the HGV on January 10 this year.
Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the motorway, which was closed while the scene was cleared.
Mr Browning was taken to King's College Hospital in London but died the following day from multiple injuries.
But an inquest, held today at The Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone, could not determine why Mr Browning had not stopped in time to avoid hitting the lorry.
Assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn heard evidence from police and watched CCTV footage from the day of the collision.
It was heard that both vehicles were travelling in lane one of the coastbound carriage near junction 11a when the lorry became static in queuing traffic.
But Mr Browning failed to stop in time and drove into the rear of it. He suffered significant injuries.
Ms Hepburn said there was some evidence of braking from Mr Browning but it was "insufficient" for the vehicle to come to a stop.
It was also heard that at the time of the crash there was a matrix warning at junction 11 that traffic was slowing.
Ms Hepburn said she "could not explain why Mr Browning didn't see the queuing traffic".
She said theories were that he was fatigued or distracted in the cab but there was no evidence to confirm this.
A post mortem revealed he had not suffered a medical episode, and his speed was not in excess of the limit.
Following the collision Mr Browning, a plumber, was taken to the London hospital and received surgery.
But he died on January 11 from multiple injuries.
Ms Hepburn concluded that Mr Browning's death was a result of a road traffic collision.
She offered her condolences to his family who were sat in the hearing.
Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone
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