Two men who died after a collision involving a lorry and a van were both passengers, an inquest has heard.

Reece Watson, 22, and David Boaler, 44, were driving along the M26 near Wrotham with a third man on Thursday, October 15, when the vehicle they were in crashed.

An inquest opening at Shepway Centre in Oxford Road, Maidstone, heard how Mr Watson, of Lushington Road, and Mr Boaler, of Headcorn Road, both in the same town, died following the collision, while the third man was taken to hospital.

Assistant coroner Alan Blundson revealed Mr Watson's cause of death was a massive head trauma, while Mr Boaler's was multiple severe injuries.

He explained Mr Watson, who was one of four brothers and a football coach for Lenham Under-15s, was a house husband and Mr Boaler was a mechanic who was born in Derby.

Last month tributes poured in for the pair, including Mr Watson's mum Rebecca Taylor who said she was "shattered" after the incident.

Friends of Mr Boaler described him as a "kind and caring" person who would "go out there way to help others".

Both inquests were adjourned to be heard on March 31 in Maidstone.

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