A mental health worker died after her car crashed into a roundabout and overturned, an inquest has heard.

Janet Falayi was diverted off the A299 Thanet Way London-bound at Broomfield, Herne Bay, along a slip road shortly before she lost control of her black Peugeot 3008.

Her young daughter was pulled from the wreckage, but the 33-year-old, who lived in Ashford, was pronounced dead at the scene, on the junction for the A291 Canterbury Road.

At an inquest in Maidstone on Thursday, PC David Burley admitted that detectives still do not know why the crash occurred.

The forensic collision investigator explained: “There was no evidence of vehicle defects, poor weather or third-party involvement.

“Despite the warning signs, Ms Falayi left the road at a speed well in excess of the 40mph limit.

“There was insufficient time and distance to deal with the roundabout presented to her.

“The reason why she failed to negotiate the roundabout remains unknown.”

Following the crash, which took place on October 14, witnesses reported seeing a huge emergency response, as police, paramedics and the fire service rushed to the scene along with an air ambulance.

Ms Falayi’s brother, Colin, told the hearing he was aware of testimonies from those at the scene claiming the route was not adequately lit.

However, PC Burley insisted he was not aware of any such accounts, adding “the lights that were fitted would have been suitable”.

The officer also pointed to police records that showed just one similar crash had taken place at the same roundabout in the last three years.

"It's still with me now - it was absolutely awful to see..."

“There have been five collisions there over the last three years and of those there was one similar (in 2018). The similarity was the speed," PC Burley added.

“All the streetlamps were illuminated, so there would have been enough light in that location.

“It would have complied with all the regulations with regard to highways.”

However, an eyewitness told KentOnline following the hearing that he believes the slip road is poorly lit and signposted.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he heard a bang and screams from his Canterbury Road home immediately after the crash occurred at about 10.30pm.

"There was a small thud and then a bang. I went straight up there because I could hear a child screaming," he remembered.

"The vehicle was upside down among the trees. It's still with me now - it was absolutely awful to see.

"I just knew somebody had hit that roundabout. It's not the first time someone's hit it - the roundabout's absolutely lethal.

"The warning sign for it (along the slip road) are too close to where the roundabout is. If you're coming down there late at night, you've got a problem, especially if you don't know the road."

Post-mortem examinations revealed Ms Falayi, who worked as a mental health facilitator, died of a pulmonary haemorrhage.

Meanwhile, toxicology reports showed she was not under the influence of drink or drugs.

Concluding, assistant coroner Joanne Andrews said: “Ms Falayi sustained fatal injuries from which she sadly died.

“Police said there were no issues with the lighting or the diversion.

"I will record the conclusion as one of road traffic collision.”

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