A carpenter was killed when a trailer came loose from a truck and rolled into his van, an inquest has heard.

Anthony Manahan, 57, from Charing, died in the crash in Challock, near Ashford, last Wednesday.

A 31-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving, police have confirmed.

An inquest into the tragedy was opened at Oakwood House in Maidstone this morning.

Scott Matthewson, assistant coroner for Central and South East Kent, said: “Police were called by the other driver who said his trailer had come off and rolled into the other vehicle.”

Police previously said the truck pulling the trailer had been a white Iveco flatbed going towards Charing.

Mr Manahan had been in a blue Ford Transit van driving in the opposite direction.

The crash happened on the A252 Canterbury Road on April 10 and the emergency services were called at 6.52am.

Police last week said the trailer was “reported to have become detached” before colliding with the van.

The inquest heard Mr Manahan died at the scene.

Mr Matthewson suspended the inquest “pending the outcome of criminal proceedings”.

A police spokesman today confirmed to KentOnline: “A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and bailed pending further enquiries.”

The A252 is a busy road used by Challock villagers heading towards Ashford, Canterbury and Faversham.

It had to be shut into the evening as the initial crash investigation continued.