A builder killed when a rotten tree fell on his van as he ate his lunch died as a result of "an extremely unfortunate accident", an inquest's heard.

Tonbridge builder Christopher Hayes, 51, had been taking a break in his van in Sandhurst Road, Tunbridge Wells, on January 3 when the beech tree blew over in strong winds and crushed the vehicle's roof.

But in a cruel twist of fate his assistant - sitting next to him - miraculously escaped injury when he leant forward to pick up a lighter from the footwell.

The inquest heard the tree was rotten.

Coroner Roger Hatch said: "It was an extremely unfortunate accident

"I accept that the owner of the property would have had no knowledge of the problem with the tree and there was no need for an examination of the tree to be carried out prior to the unfortunate event. It is a tragedy."

A verdict of misadventure was recorded.