The cause of death of a driver who was killed in a serious crash is still being investigated.

Aaron Ricketts died on September 26 on the A2, where it becomes the M2, at the junction for Wainscott, after his vehicle crashed with the central barrier and a bridge parapet.

An inquest into the 29-year-old’s death was opened today (October 9) by area coroner Catherine Wood at Oakwood House, in Maidstone.

The court heard police officers, fire crews and paramedics were called to a single-vehicle crash near the slip road for the A289 towards Wainscott.

Ms Wood told the court that the car had first crashed into the central reservation before hitting a bridge parapet.

She added: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service was able to extract a man who had been heavily trapped in the vehicle.

“His ID was confirmed and he was confirmed deceased at the scene.

“The cause of death is still under investigation.”

A full inquest was adjourned until February 19 at Oakwood House.

Aaron, who lived in Rochester, is understood to have left behind two sons, aged nine and three.

In a statement posted on a GoFundMe page, his mum Marica James said: “Aaron was a wonderful son, brother, father, and friend, who touched the lives of those around him.

“To say this is a shock is an understatement, we are all truly devastated by Aaron’s loss.”

Following the incident, which happened at around 2.35am, the A2 coastbound carriageway was shut between Gravesend and junction 1 of the M2 for Strood.

A specialist structural engineer was called to the scene to assess damage to the lampposts, the central reservation barrier and bridge supports which were struck in the crash.