Tech expert died when car collided with traffic

The A12 was shut for about five hours while emergency crews responded to the crash in October

A driver was killed when a car hit the back of his vehicle as he sat in traffic, a coroner said.

Technology expert Norman Case was fatally injured on the A12 at Kelvedon, Essex on 22 October.

A former colleague told the BBC the 58-year-old, from Tolleshunt Major, was "one of a kind, a true gentleman".

A 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving remained under investigation, police said.

A brief inquest opening at Essex Coroner's Court was told Mr Case died at the scene as a result of a road traffic collision.

He was sitting in traffic on the northbound lane when a vehicle collided with the back of his Volkswagen Polo at 09:30 BST, area coroner Michelle Brown said.

"[The car] failed to stop for stationary traffic, colliding with the back of his vehicle, causing it to collide with a vehicle in front," Ms Brown added.

She said the court was awaiting histology and toxicology reports before Mr Case's cause of death could be determined.

'Deeply missed'

Mr Case worked in the audiovisual industry for more than 20 years, his ex-colleague said.

"[He was] someone who warmed every room with his presence and made every engagement feel like you were special," they told the BBC anonymously.

"He will be deeply missed by those lucky enough to call him a friend and we are devastated for the loss to his beautiful family."

The A12 was closed for a number of hours, initially in both directions, between Kelvedon and Feering after the collision.

It was fully reopened at 15:00 after the air ambulance left the scene.

Ms Brown suspended an inquest into Mr Case's death to allow for the police investigation to continue.