Two workers killed in a blaze at the Channel Tunnel rail link died accidentally, an inquest ruled today.

Jurors deliberating how Darren Brown and Dougie Lynch died on 20 August 2005 reached a verdict this afternoon.

Speaking to KentOnline, Mr Lynch's wife Denise said she was "dismayed" and "disappointed" at the result.

Both her husband and Mr Brown were injured while working on the Channel Tunnel rail link at Swanscombe.

The two died in 2005 after the blaze at Swanscombe on August 16 of that year.

Mrs Lynch had hoped for an open verdict and the investigation following the incident was flawed.

The inquest into their deaths, which has lasted several weeks, had earlier heard from a man who was among the first on the scene.

Kevin Rix told the jury how he waited to hear from engine driver Douglas Lynch, 50 and railway shunter Darren Brown, 40, to let him know they had left the tunnel between Swanscombe and Essex and it was safe to enter on August 16, 2005.

But the call never came and Mr Rix was given permission by the safety supervisor to enter cautiously and check what had happened.

The inquest at Gravesend's Adult Education centre in Darnley Road heard how Mr Rix and his shunter Michael Moore found the train alight.

They then ran towards it and found Mr Lynch lying to one side: "He was curled into the wall and was badly burnt.

Audio: Denise Lynch speaking after the inquest

"He did talk to us but he was in a lot of pain," Mr Rix added.

After the pair searched for Mr Brown and could not find him, they transported Mr Lynch back out of the tunnel on their train.

Mr Lynch from Folkestone died four days later on August 20, 2005, while Mr Brown from Manchester was pronounced dead at the scene.