A mother and daughter were two of three people killed in a road smash, an inquest has revealed.

All these victims were found to be dead at the scene of the crash between a car and motorcycle at Brookland.

An inquest opening yesterday named the women as Gloria Roberts, 65, of Hall Lane, Walsall Wood, Wallsall, West Midlands, and Dawn Roberts, 36, of Stanford Avenue, Great Barr, Birmingham.

The hearing also confirmed the identity of the third victim, already locally known, as Malcolm Batt, 55, of Dumbourne Lane, Smallhythe, Tenterden.

The crash happened on Sunday, May 10 , on the A259 Rye Road.

Marion Hale, coroner’s officer, told Rachel Redman, Central and South East Kent Coroner, that all three had died from multiple injuries.

This had been verified by post mortem examinations at Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital on May 13.

Mrs Redman, at Folkestone Magistrates Court, adjourned the inquest for further inquiries.

The date for the full closing hearing, with witnesses giving evidence, is to be confirmed.

The day after the crash police had confirmed that father-of-four Mr Batt was on the motorcycle and the women were passengers in a black Renault Megane.

Three other people in that car, a baby and two men, survived.

They were taken to hospital with injuries that were not thought to be life threatening. The accident was at about 3.50pm.

Police appealed for witnesses and said they especially wanted the occupants of a purple Volkswagen camper van to come forward.

It had been seen in the area around the time of the crash.

Officers stressed that this vehicle was not involved in the accident but believed that those in it may be important witnesses.

Police also said that a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was released on bail until July 21.

The crash is one of the worst on Romney Marsh in recent years that people can remember.

Brookland Parish Council has asked Kent Police and Kent Highways to discussed road safety issues with it at its next full meeting on Monday, June 15.

Any eyewitnesses or anyone with information about the tragedy should contact Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.

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