A driver died after his van spun off a motorway slip road.

David Martin, 32, of Westbourne Grove, Westcliff, was driving at speed when he lost control, an inquest heard.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray yesterday recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The Chelmsford inquest heard how Mr Martin had been driving fast on the M25 close to its junction with the A127 at just after 5pm on March 1 when the accident happened.

Caroline Hodson, who was driving on the motorway at the time, said Mr Martin had undertaken her in his Bedford van as she drove in the outside lane at 70mph.

She described how she watched as he moved onto the slip road and undertook another car.

But as the road swept left, Mr Martin lost control and his van, span through 180 degrees, fell sideways off the side of the road, through a group of trees and down the embankment.

An accident investigation officer told the court he had found tyre marks made by Mr Martin's van, but there was no clear reason for him to lose control.

He said it was probable the driver was travelling too fast for the bend.

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