A POPULAR supermarket manager who died in a car crash was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, an inquest has heard.

Kieran Bailey, 26, was killed after his black BMW was involved in a collision with a white Nissan van on King Street in Middlewich shortly after 6am on Sunday, January 24 this year.

Warrington Coroners Court was also told that the thread depth on his rear tyre was described as 'dangerous'.

In a tribute his family described him as 'a popular young man who touched the lives of so many'.

The store manager was on his way to work from his home in Pennymoor Drive, Middlewich to Aldi in Stockton Heath, when the accident happened, Warrington Coroners Court was told on Monday.

Kieran's mum Melanie Steele said she last saw Kieran and his partner Jack Ditchfield the night before the tragedy.

In a statement to the court, she said Kieran had his car serviced regularly and had booked his BMW into a garage to have two rear tyres replaced the week after the crash.

Van driver Robert Harrison, from Northwich, told the inquest that he was driving towards Middlewich on the A530 King Street when he suddenly noticed a vehicle approaching him.

In a statement, he said: "There were headlights travelling directly towards me. Before I could even utter a word I saw this light and there was a collision.

"I remember lifting my foot off the accelerator. I recall seeing the side of a car in front of me. The next thing my van was still.

"The pain in my chest was unbearable."

Mr Harrison was taken to hospital and treated for seven fractured ribs.

"I felt devastated and guilty because someone had died," he said. "I am still shaking and frightened. My wife is now driving.

"I know I have to get back in the van for my livelihood but I am scared."

Aiden Hughes, a vehicle examiner for Cheshire Police examined the BMW and found the nearside rear tyre only had a tread depth of 0.53mm. In an MOT test he said this would be categorised as 'dangerous'. The legal limit is 1.6mm.

He found no evidence that the seat belt was in use at the time of impact.

The Nissan van was found to be in good order.

Police collision investigator Kevin Sweeney, who examined the scene of the accident, said Mr Bailey could have lost control of the BMW for several reasons.

In a statement, he said the reduced depth of his nearside rear tyre and the fact that he had been driving at 60mph were contributing factors.

PC Sweeney found ice on the road and said the car was travelling at 'excess speed' for such conditions.

A report by toxicologist Philippa Wood found no alcohol or drugs in Mr Bailey's blood.

Pathologist Dr David Butterworth, who carried out a post mortem examination, said the cause of death was severe head injuries.

Mr Heath Westerman, assistant coroner for Cheshire concluded that Mr Bailey's death had been caused by a road traffic collision.

He thanked Kieran's mum Melanie, step dad Tim, brother Colby and partner Jack Ditchfield for attending the inquest.

Mr Westerman said: "I know how difficult this is. May I offer my sincere condolences to you all for the loss of Kieran."