A YOUNG dad died after swerving into the path of an oncoming van because his car’s tyres did not have sufficient tread to grip the wet road, an inquest has heard.

Kieron Joslin, who lived with his girlfriend and her parents in Copdoek, Basildon, was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital in a critical condition after his green Fiat Punto collided with a white Renault Kangoo, which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The 26-year-old died from a severe brain injury, internal bleeding and damage to his liver and spleen following the crash in South Hill, Langdon Hills, on May 18.

Giving evidence at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court yesterday, Sgt Richard Raker, investigation manager, told the court that the Fiat had considerably old tyres, which were worn and cracked and contributed to the crash.

He said: “Both front tyres were old and cracked with worn outer edges.

“In places the tread had worn away completely, exposing the tyre below.

“It was just below the legal limit and the tyre’s performance in the wet weather would have been compromised. There was no contributing fault or defect apart from the tyres.”

He added that Mr Joslin, who had become a father for the first time seven months before the tragic crash, had misjudged the bend.

He said: “He misjudged the severity of the bend causing him to apply heavy braking. This braking in combination with the wet road and worn tyres caused the vehicle to skid.”

Senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray confirmed that Mr Joslin died from a crash.

After the accident, more than £1,000 was raised for Mr Joslin’s child by family and friends.