An inquest into the death of a popular 25-year-old who died following a motorway crash has heard technology in his car called the emergency services.

Frankie Wright, from Sheerness, was able to get out of his BMW after losing control on the M2, near the turn-off for Chatham, before blacking out by the roadside.

He was taken to King's College Hospital in London, but had suffered catastrophic brain injuries and passed away two days later, on Thursday, February 10.

An inquest into the death of the lorry driver, from St Helen's Road, this morning heard his BMW M6's system automatically dialled 999, alerting the emergency services to the collision.

Intelligent Emergency Call or 'eCall' is an SOS where drivers can call for emergency services themselves, or the vehicle does it automatically if the safety devices within the car are activated.

It automatically logs the time of the crash, the GPS location and type of vehicle and direction it was travelling in.

The eCall system was made mandatory in the EU for all cars sold since 2018.

It is designed to prevent tragedies such as the death of mother-of-two Lamara Bell who lay alive but undiscovered for three days in her car after a crash on the M9 in Scotland in 2015.

Since his death Frankie's family have spoken out on how they have been 'blown away' by the outpouring of affection for the former Sheppey Academy pupil.

His sister, Kim, said: "So many people have said how much they loved him, I never knew he had so many friends."

Frankie, who worked for Sittingbourne-based Wigglesworth Transport, was said to be "mad about cars and motors".

A qualified mechanic, he was never happier than when driving his prized BMW or tinkering with anything mechanical.

Kim added: "He used to go to car meets and chat with loads of people with similar interests.

"They commented that his middle name was 'funny’ because he always made everyone laugh."

The inquest has been adjourned until July 26 at the Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone.

Frankie's funeral will be held at the Garden of England Crematorium this Friday at 3pm.

Anyone who has information about the incident, which happened in the coastbound carriageway near Junction 3, and has not yet spoken to police, are urged to contact officers.

Witnesses should call the SCIU appeal line on 01622 798 538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting reference SM/DS/26/22.