Inquests into the deaths of a mum-of-three and a man and in a two-vehicle collision on the A66 in West Cumbria have been opened and suspended pending a probe probe into the incident.
Police launched a public appeal for information after a collision was reported at around 6.40pm on Saturday, July 12.
It involved a silver Audi A3 and a black Ford Focus, and happened near Workington.
Abby Storey, 35, a passenger in the Ford, and Audi passenger Marty Roberts, 34, of Liverpool, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard this morning that Miss Storey, a sales assistant, and Mr Roberts, a railway maintenance worker, both died from chest injuries. They were formally identified by police constables.
Assistant Cumbria coroner Margaret Taylor noted that Whitehaven-born Miss Storey lived at Salterbeck, Workington, while Mr Roberts was from Bootle, Merseyside.
Inquests into their deaths were formally opened, separately.
Both were suspended by Ms Taylor who, during the hearing for Mr Roberts said: “There are ongoing police investigations in relation to the circumstances that two vehicles came to collide, resulting in the deaths of two people.”
Both inquests will resume once police enquiries have been completed, the court was told.
Police said after the crash that the drivers of both the Ford and Audi, men aged in their 30s, suffered serious injuries and were transferred to hospital for treatment. Each was said in the immediate aftermath to be in a stable condition.
Miss Storey’s family described her as a devoted mother, loving partner, cherished sister and unforgettable friend.
They said: “Abby was a proud and adoring mother to her three beautiful children, in whom her memory will live on every day. Abby was kind, caring and endlessly thoughtful, always willing to help anyone in need.”
In a tribute to Mr Roberts, his family said: “Marty was a cherished soul by many. He touched the hearts of everyone he met with his unique quirky sense of humour and his calm and collective nature.”
