AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a man killed after a crash in Southend.

John Hevey, 61, of Sherwood Way, Southend, died on November 20 at Jacobs Neurological Centre in Sawbridgeworth.

Mr Hevey was a motorcyclist involved in a crash on Eastern Avenue on May 21 this year with a BMW.

The police and ambulance services confirmed at the time Mr Hevey had suffered a serious head injury and was in a life-threatening condition.

The inquest was opened into his death at Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford on Thursday, where coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray heard evidence that Mr Hevey had been transported to the Royal London Hospital for emergency treatment.

Coroner’s officer Jonathan Hall told the court: “John Hevey was involved in a serious road traffic collision on Eastern Avenue in Southend on May 21, and was flown by air ambulance to Royal London Hospital for further treatment.

“He was later transferred to Jacobs Neurological Centre in Sawbridgeworth where he remained for intensive care.

“He was briefly transferred for care to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow before being taken back to Jacobs.

“He sadly died at the centre on November 20.

“A post mortem examination was carried out and the provisional cause of death is pending further investigation.”

Police arrived at the scene of Mr Hevey’s crash at around 1.25pm, where they found the blue BMW’s front bumper had been crushed having hit the central reservation, near to a pedestrian crossing.

Caroline Beasley-Murray adjourned the inquest for mention on January 14. A date for the full inquest has not been set, due to impending criminal prosecutions.