An insurance director from Maidstone died when his car broke through a safety barrier and overturned on a busy motorway.

Philip Coggill, 38, was driving on the link road between the M20 and M25 when he crashed his silver Saab 93 near junction 1 at Swanley.

He died at the scene of the crash at 8.50am on October 15. His inquest took place at Gravesend Coroner's Court today.

PC David Kirk, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, told the court the car was travelling at speed when it broke through a safety barrier before ending up overturned on a bank. He said the drivers seat was crushed as a result.

An investigation was carried out but detectives said they couldn’t find any cause of the crash.

A mobile phone was found at the scene but there was no evidence to show it had been used before the accident.

“I couldn’t understand why he lost control, I thought his tyres may have blown up...” - Witness Ian Lloyd

PC Kirk said he believed Mr Coggill may have lost control because he overcorrected himself when navigating a bend in the road.

Pathologist Ann Fleming recorded the cause of death was multiple injuries including lacerations to the lung.

Motorist Ian Lloyd told the court he was overtaken by Mr Coggill just moments before the crash.

He described how the car “twitched” before spinning out of control.

Mr Lloyd said: “I couldn’t understand why he lost control, I thought his tyres may have blown up.”

Coroner Roger Hatch ruled the death was caused by a road traffic collision.

Mr Coggill’s parents attended the inquest but declined to comment when approached.

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