A 24-year-old man was attempting to cross a busy carriageway when he was hit by a car, a coroner heard.

At the opening of the inquest into the death of Aron Baker, the court heard how the painter and decorator was hit by the silver Vauxhall Vectra on the Ratcliffe Highway in Hoo just after 3am on Sunday, December 4.

Mr Baker, who was single, suffered a cardiac arrest at the scene and a passer-by rushed to give him CPR before he was transferred to King’s College Hospital in London. He died that afternoon.

The cause of death was given as a traumatic brain injury.

Assistant coroner Kate Thomas adjourned the case until Tuesday, March 14, when a full inquest will be held.

According to his mother Allison, Mr Baker, who was born in Sidcup but lived in Rochester, is understood to have been making his way home, after being separated from his friends, when he was knocked down.

Officers from the police’s serious collision investigation unit are looking into the incident, which happened on the Rochester-bound carriageway between the junctions with Bell’s Lane and Main Road.

They are seeking any witnesses who saw Mr Baker in the moments leading up to the collision.

It is believed he was walking towards Hoo, from Rochester, and was wearing a blue and white striped shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information about the crash can call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference 04-0185, or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk