An inquest has opened into the death of a young accountant killed in a road accident.

Ben Cole, 23, died after his car left the road and collided with a tree, coroner’s officer David Lewis told yesterday's hearing.

The accident happened on the A299 Thanet Way near Brenley Corner as Mr Cole was driving towards Margate on the morning of January 7.

Mr Lewis told the Ashford inquest that Mr Cole was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics just before 9am.

His body was taken to Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital where it was identified by his father, Kevin.

A post-mortem examination showed he had died from multiple injuries and the inquest was adjourned, with a date to be fixed, for further inquiries.

Mr Cole, of New Road, Minster, had a two-year-old daughter, Mia, with his 23-year-old girlfriend Sarah Apps.

He worked for the firm Quote Me Today at the Estuary View Business Park, Whitstable.

It is understood that Mr Cole was driving to work at the time of the accident.

His funeral will be at the Garden of England Crematorium in Bobbing on January 28 at noon.