An inquest into the death of a serving Kent police detective could only conclude he died from the multiple injuries suffered from a crash.

DC Adrian Grew, based at Tonbridge CID, died at the scene following the accident with an Arriva bus near the Scotney Castle roundabout, on the A21, in December last year.

The accident happened at about 6.20pm.

Speaking at today’s inquest forensic collision inspector Angela Holmes said the cars were heading in different directions and bus driver John Miller remained on the correct side of the road at all times.

Her evidence said the 32-year-old father of one lost control of his Peugeot 106 while coming out of the roundabout and it is possible this could be due to excessive speed.

That possibility however is difficult to prove because DC Grew’s gearbox was too badly damaged to show what gear it was in at the time of the accident.

Witness statements, including one given by John Miller, say the bus was probably travelling between 40 and 45mph.

DC Grew’s car, which was heading towards Flimwell, was hit on the front nearside while travelling on the Lamberhurst-bound carriageway.

Skid marks in the road suggest DC Grew had tried several times to steer the Peugeot out of the way.

A breathalyser test conducted at the scene found Mr Miller had not consumed any alcohol and tests from DC Grew’s body revealed he had not been under the influence of drink or drugs.

In Insp Holmes' opinion the road surface, weather conditions and traffic did not contribute towards the accident.

DC Grew, who lived in Etchingham in East Sussex, had recently joined the serious crime directorate after working in Tonbridge CID for several years,

The bus involved did not have any passengers on board and its driver was uninjured.

Speaking at Tunbridge Wells' Coroner's Court, coroner Roger Hatch said: “It’s quite clear that DC Grew appears to have got his vehicle into a slide which he took steps to correct, unsuccessfully as it turned out.

“As a result his vehicle went across the road and collided with the Arriva bus.”