An inquest has been opened into the death of a suspected illegal immigrant whose body was found in the back of an HGV.

The unidentified man was discovered by the driver at about 8.30am on October 18 after he parked at the A20 Airport Cafe at Sellindge. The lorry had been driven from Calais to Dover.

Coroner’s officer Steve Trusty, speaking at the inquest opening at Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone today, said the deceased man was found buried beneath boxes.

A post mortem examination was carried out on October 28 and revealed the cause of death was traumatic impact asphyxiation.

Katrina Hepburn, assistant coroner for central and south east Kent, adjourned the hearing until January 5.