A couple who died after being hit by a car as they walked their dog down a country lane have been named for the first time.

Thomas Corkery, 61, and his wife Susan, 68, were fatally injured when the vehicle collided with them in Thurnham Lane, Bearsted, near Maidstone, at around 1.40pm on Saturday, January 20.

Accountant Thomas, who was born in Ireland, and Susan, a retired nurse who was born in Malta, died at the scene alongside their pet after being struck by a black BMW SUV.

The driver remained at the scene and an investigation was launched by police, but no arrests have been made.

An inquest opening at Oakwood House in Maidstone on Monday revealed both causes of death were given as catastrophic head injuries and multiple internal and external blunt and sharp force injuries.

Assistant coroner Sarah Clarke said these injuries came about from a “fatal road traffic collision”.

The pair lived in Bearsted village and their inquests were adjourned while police probe the crash. No date has been given for a new hearing yet.

Kent Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any other information or dashcam footage prior to, or at the time of the collision, to call its Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk, quoting reference RY/HG/008/24.