A POPULAR member of the traveller community suffered fatal head injuries when his car hit a tree after he misjudged the speed on a bend, an inquest heard yesterday.

Kane Jones, 22, of Calcutt Park, Cricklade, was pronounced dead in the early hours of June 14 after his white Ford Fiesta van left Collins Lane, Purton, and collided with a tree.

Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner's Court heard that the self-employed labourer was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision, which took place in dark and rainy conditions on a single lane road.

Ian Merryweather, a railway worker, discovered Mr Jones’ van in a hedgerow at around 3.30am and alerted emergency services.

His statement read out to the court by Ian Singleton, assistant coroner for Swindon and Wiltshire, said: “I stopped to see if there was anyone there. Emergency services asked if Kane had a pulse. He said he could not find a pulse, he said Kane was cold. He waited with two others and the emergency services arrived five minutes later.”

Pathologist Dr Laurence John said Kane died instantly from traumatic head injuries, including skull fractures and a severe brain injury.

PC David Langridge, from the Gloucestershire Constabulary Collision Investigation Unit, said marks found on the road and grass verge were “indicative of attempting to negotiate a bend at too high a speed”.

“Kane attempted to negotiate a left hand turn and failed to complete the manoeuvre. He moved onto the verge and struck a tree. It’s my opinion that Kane misjudged his speed on the approach to the bend and has been unable to control the vehicle on the left hand bend.”

Examination of the van found no evidence of defects with the vehicle and no signs to indicate excessive speed. The speed limit on the road is 60mph.

Mr Jones’ mobile phone was not being used at the time of the crash. Tests also established alcohol had not played a part in the accident.

Mr Singleton recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision and expressed his sympathies to the Jones family

“During the evening and early morning of the 13 and 14 of June, Kane Jones was travelling alone in his vehicle when he attempted to negotiate a left hand bend," he said.

“Kane’s vehicle left the road and hit a tree. The front of the vehicle was crushed by the force of the impact. On the balance of probabilities, the road could be safely travelled down at a speed of around 35 to 45mph.

“And on the balance of probabilities, it exceeded that and caused the injuries that led to Kane’s death.”

Following Mr Jones’ death tributes were paid to the popular member of the traveller community, with friends calling him a ‘lovely man’ and a ‘good laugh’.