An inquest into the death of a young biker who lost his life in a crash when a car pulled out on him has been suspended as police continue to investigate the incident.

Ryan Rudden, of Dargate Road, Whitstable, died on May 12 after his black Honda CBR1000 collided with a blue Citroen C4 Picasso at around 9.45pm in Swale Way, Sittingbourne.

Mr Rudden was riding along the road with friend and work colleague Adam Davies, 31, when the car pulled out of Milton Creek fishing lakes.

An inquest at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone heard how the married biker tried to avoid the car as it turned right out of the lakes.

His cause of death was given as head and chest injuries.

Assistant coroner Bina Patel confirmed the inquest would be suspended pending a criminal investigation, with the hearing provisionally adjourned until September 13.

Following the incident, four people from Sittingbourne were arrested. Three of them were men, aged 18, 23 and 32, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The following day the 18-year-old and 23-year-old were released pending further inquiries, while the 32-year-old was held in custody for longer.

He was later released on bail until Wednesday, June 9.

The fourth person, a 34-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice, was also released.

Tributes have poured in for the 26-year-old biker who was born in Chatham, with flowers, sweets, a high-viz jacket and a six-pack of Monster energy drinks left in Swale Way the morning after the incident.

His friend Adam, who police say was lucky to be alive, was riding pillion with him at the time of the crash and was left with an "exploded knee", a fractured wrist and ligament damage.

The 31-year-old described Ryan as "the kindest bloke you'll ever meet".

He said: "He'd do absolutely anything for anyone.

"He was just one of those blokes who made me laugh constantly even though he wasn't trying to. He had the heart the size of a double decker bus. I'll miss him forever and ever."

The pair worked together at Sittingbourne electrical company Avidety.

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