AN inquest has opened into the death of a man on a Cumbrian road after a tree fell onto his car while driving.

James Douglas Lowe, 57 died on August 20, 2024, while driving with his son as a passenger along the southbound carriageway of the A683 at Brantwood, Cautley, between Kirkby Stephen and Sedbergh.

Area Coroner for Cumbria Kirsty Gomersal heard Mr Lowe, who lived in Warrington but was born in County Durham, saw the tree falling onto the road but was 'unable to avoid the collision' and there was an 'impact between the car and the tree'.

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Mr Lowe, a business owner, was confirmed dead at 6.10pm on August 20.

Ms Gomersal was offered a cause of death of a compound fracture of the skull caused by a fallen tree.

A provisional date for a conclusion hearing was set for January 21, 2025.