THE cause of a head-on crash that claimed a driver's life may never be known, an inquest has heard.

Stephen Tomlinson, 30, of Bridge View, Fishburn, County Durham, died of multiple injuries when his Rover collided with a Volvo truck as he drove to work at a Spennymoor factory early one Saturday morning in September.

The accident happened on the A688 between Metal Bridge and Thinford. Although it was dark, the road was dry and there was little traffic.

Lorry driver Clive Mason, of Spennymoor, who was unhurt, said he became aware of the Rover seconds before it veered over into the path of his vehicle.

He told the inquest it had no head or side lights on and that he saw no signs of the car going out of control.

Police accident investigator PC Keith Butler said the car sustained massive damage and that major components could not be examined for defects because they were destroyed.

The car left no skid marks and there were no signs of a tyre blow-out and although one tyre had low tread it had no bearing on the accident.

The lorry's tachograph showed it was travelling at below 40mph and PC Butler estimated the car's speed at no more than 60mph, the limit on the road, giving a combined collision speed of 100mph.

He told the inquest checks revealed that a rear light had been switched on.

North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle said: "For some inexplicable reason that I don't know, and we will possibly never know, the car very quickly swerved in front of Mr Mason and a very substantial collision took place with a possible impact speed of 100 mph.''

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Tweddle said he was satisfied Mr Tomlinson had not intended to harm himself