Man killed in A130 crash after car flipped and caught fire is named as inquest opens
A man who died after a serious crash on the A130 which saw a car flip and burst into flames has been named. Lee Pankhurst was the driver of a car involved in a single-vehicle crash on the road near the roundabout connecting to the A1245.
The 37-year-old was later rushed to the Royal London Hospital following the crash in the early hours of September 4 but tragically he died from his injuries later that morning. The A130 was shut to the north of Benfleet for most of the day on September 4 while police carried out investigations at the scene.
The inquest into Mr Pankhurst's death opened at Essex Coroners' Court in Chelmsford on Thursday (September 19). Area Coroner Michelle Brown told the court: "Lee Pankhurst was from Leigh-on-Sea. He died on September 4, 2024 at the Royal London Hospital.
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"On September 4, this 37-year-old gentleman was travelling in a car alone along the A130 towards Rayleigh. As he approached the turn-off [towards] the A12 the vehicle failed to negotiate the roundabout. It flipped onto its roof and caught fire. He was rushed to hospital but sadly died. Police have confirmed they are not pursuing a prosecution. A provisional cause of death was 1A head and chest injuries."
A spokesperson from Essex Police said: "We were called to the A130, close to Rayleigh Spur Roundabout at around 4.30am on Wednesday, September 4, following a collision involving one vehicle. The driver of the car, a 37-year-old man was taken to hospital where he sadly died later that morning."