Two men who were killed in a crash on the M40 earlier this year died at the scene as a result of extensive injuries, an inquest heard this week.

Kyle Edmands, 22, from Coventry and 31-year-old Steven McCormick, from Bedworth, died on March 29 when the van they were travelling in came off the M40 (northbound) between junctions 3 and 4, crashing into some trees on the grass verge.

Two other passengers, also both men, were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The court heard that varying levels of cannabis were detected in the bloodstream of Mr Edmands, who was driving the van.

The post-mortem report found that both men had suffered fractures, including in the skull, resulting in “significant injuries” which the pathologist concluded were “unsurvivable”.

Giving evidence, witness Coralie Williams said she saw the white Renault van “suddenly veer off” to left, as she was driving behind it.

She said: “Suddenly it veered off at a 35 to 40 degree angle. It didn’t swerve. Nothing in its manner of driving made me notice it before.

“It was travelling normally one minute and the next it had whooshed off. I saw it hit the trees.”

Ms Williams said she called police immediately, telling her husband, who did not witness it, that she had seen a “nasty accident”.

She added: “It was all over in seconds.”

Another witness, Olivia Knowles, had her statement read out in court, where she described a similar scene as she was travelling with her partner.

She said: “As we were talking I saw a white transit van on the opposite side of the road veer to the side and hit the tree.

“I did not see anything in front or behind the van. It flipped and then there were sparks. The van had drifted. It was like it had been pulled by a rope.”

Ms Knowles said she also called 999 “straightaway”.

The court heard that the road was in a good condition with an overcast sky but no visibility issues, and that it was a “possibility” that Mr Edmands, and the other passengers, had fallen asleep due to there being “no response from the driver” as the van came off the road.

Senior coroner Crispin Butler ruled Mr Edmands’ cause of death as a road traffic accident, adding that he died at the scene as a result of the injuries he sustained.

He also ruled Mr McCormick’s cause of death as a road traffic accident, saying he died at the scene due to multiple injuries.

Following the crash, the families of both men released tributes to the “amazing” pair.

Mr Edmands’ family said: “He was a hardworking and lovable boy with many great friends and a family who was so proud of him. He smiled every day and was so full of life.

“Kyle will always and forever be in our hearts as he was truly an amazing son, grandson and brother.”

Mr McCormick’s family wrote: “Steven was an amazing son, father, brother and uncle. He was loved by many and is going to be missed by everyone he knew.”