TWO people killed in a crash on the A358 between Williton and Bishops Lydeard last month have been named as a husband and wife from Minehead.

David and Karen Cozens, of Sycamore Road, Minehead, died when their Mazda Bongo camper van was involved in a head-on collision with a Volvo HGV lorry near Combe Florey on September 30.

Somerset area coroner Vanessa McKinlay opened an inquest in Taunton on Monday (October 12) into their deaths.

Ms McKinlay received a preliminary written report from her coroner’s officer Malcolm Salter which said Mr Cozens, aged 52, was driving the camper van and Mrs Cozens, aged 60, was a passenger.

Mr Salter said the couple died at the scene of the crash despite efforts by paramedics to save them.

He said the couple both suffered multiple injuries in the crash and were declared dead by paramedics within minutes of each other shortly before 7.30 am.

Police at the scene identified Mr Cozens from his driving licence and Mrs Cozens was identified by her passport.

Mr Cozens, who worked in the town’s Tesco supermarket, also ran the Minehead Manuals and Models business specialising in vintage transport literature, workshop manuals, and scale model collectibles.

The occupation of Mrs Cozens, who was born in Southampton, was also given as a shop worker.

Ms McKinlay adjourned the proceedings and said inquests into both deaths would be held at the same time on May 12 next year.

The crash near Trebles Holford caused the closure of the A358 between West Bagborough and Bishops Lydeard for several hours while forensic accident scene investigators examined the scene.

Police have appealed for any witnesses who had not yet spoken to officers or anybody else who might have information surrounding the incident to contact the constabulary and quote the reference 5226279615, or complete the force’s online appeals form.