An inquest has opened into the death of a young man who died at the scene of a crash in Melton last year.

Owen Gardner, 29, died on May 8 after being struck by a car, Suffolk Coroners Court heard on Friday. 

Mr Gardner, from Woodbridge, who was a pedestrian, was reportedly hit by a grey Seat Ibiza.

Emergency services were called to the scene, where they met an off-duty first responder who had come across the accident moments after it had occurred.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Gardner died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

A full inquest is expected to take place on May 22 later this year.

In the weeks after his death, Mr Gardner’s family paid tribute to their “wonderful son”.

A statement released by Suffolk Constabulary on their behalf said: "Owen was loved by all who met him and has been described as generous, kind and quirky with an infectious smile and laugh.

"He touched the lives of so many and would brighten up a room.

"'There is going to be a moustache-shaped hole in many people’s lives’, said a very close friend.

"We would like to thank the two members of the public who were first at the scene, the police, the ambulance and air ambulance service who attended to Owen.”

They said that they were “overwhelmed” by all the messages and tributes they had received.

The statement continued: “Owen will be truly missed by his parents Maura and Michael, his older brother and sister Philip and Ellen and nieces Alannah and Elizabeth.”