A twin was killed after he “ran out” from behind a bus and into the path of a van travelling at 45mph, an inquest has heard.

Christopher Innes, a popular student at the University for the Creative Arts in Canterbury, died at the scene on the A28 near Chartham in May.

The 21-year-old, who got off a Regent Coaches minibus near to the junction with Mansfields fruit farm, “just did not look” as he tried to make it across the busy road.

Originally from North Yorkshire, the fine art student, who was preparing to attend a festival, was not thought to be wearing headphones and no alcohol was found in his system.

Monday’s inquest, held at The Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone, heard how Mr Innes had been dropped off at an unmarked, yet still recognised, bus stop by driver Quentin Long.

Carrying a bag of beer, he made his way off the bus onto the narrow grass verge before walking down the side of the vehicle.

A witness in the car behind said Mr Innes then walked around the back of the Mercedes Sprinter minibus and straight in front of a Citroen Berlingo van being driven by David Sneddon.

A statement from the female driver read out to the court said: “There was no hesitation. He did not try to move his head to see if it was clear - he just didn’t look.

"He was looking down concentrating on walking.”

Bus driver Mr Long, who was transporting passengers out of Canterbury, saw the fatal accident in his mirrors after dropping Mr Innes at the Nickle Cottages stop.

He said: “The young lad darted across the road and the vehicle hit him. He was probably running - most certainly not ambling.”

Van driver Mr Sneddon also believes the tragic art student was rushing across the road.

“He came running out from behind the bus,” he said.

“It was so quick, there was no opportunity to avoid the person and we collided.”

Coroner Bina Patel concluded that Mr Innes died as a result of severe head injuries following a road traffic collision.

After the hearing, Christopher’s father, RAF Sgt Brian Innes, paid tribute to his son.

“He would do anything to help anyone and was loved by everyone - he was popular. He loved life here in Canterbury and was well-known with all of his friends.”

During the inquest, Sgt Innes raised concerns over the safety of the unmarked bus stop by the Mansfields junction, and called for buses to be prevented from stopping there.

Ms Patel said she would consider at a later whether to use her ancillary powers to write a report to prevent future deaths.