Bolivia crash: Details of ex-Cranbrook School student Freddie McLennan's death revealed
10:44, 26 June 2019
updated: 12:50, 26 June 2019
One of the two schoolboys killed in a crash in Bolivia had details of his death read out in court as his inquest opened today.
Freddie McLennan, a former Cranbrook School student, was coming to the end of his gap year with friends when he and Joe Atkins were killed in a crash on the country's famous Salar de Uyuni salt flat earlier this month.
Today's opening heard evidence from the 19-year-old's post mortem.
Court usher Trevor Smith told coroner Roger Hatch said: "The deceased was involved in a road traffic collision in Bolivia, where he died.
"The date of death was June 10.
"The cause of death was given as severe, traumatic brain injuries."
The family of Pembury-born Freddie, from Goudhurst Road in Cranbrook, published a moving tribute to their son, brother and friend.
In it they wrote: "He excelled at school and his exam results were a source of great pride.
"He was thoroughly enjoying his opportunity to travel and experience new parts of the world, before preparing for the next stage in his life at Leeds University.
"The friends he made through Cranbrook School and the different sports clubs he played with over the years, know they have also lost a special individual."
Freddie and Joe's former headmaster paid his respects to the popular pair in the days after their death.
Joe Atkins' inquest will be heard by the coroners' court in Richmond. No opening date has been set.
For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here.
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