A tree surgeon was driving aggressively before crashing into a parked lorry on the side of the A47, an inquest heard.

The hearing into the death of Adam Ellis, 21, from Poringland Road, Stoke Holy Cross, heard how he died instantly in the accident at 7.10pm on February 22 this year.

Mr Ellis' white Ford Escort van was travelling at around 70mph when it crashed into the back of a lorry which had stopped in a lay-by on the westbound carriageway between the A146 and A140, south of Norwich.

Mr Ellis had been in a 'tempestuous relationship' with his girlfriend of eight months, according to senior Norfolk coroner Jacqueline Lake who led the full inquest in Norwich yesterday.

He lived with his girlfriend and family.

Mrs Lake gave a narrative conclusion that Mr Ellis died of multiple injuries as a result of a vehicle he was driving colliding with the back of a stationary vehicle.

Summing up, she said: 'There is no evidence prior to the collision that Adam had any intention to self-harm... The evidence is that Adam was in a tempestuous relationship.

'I am not sure that Adam intended to drive into the back of the lorry and I'm not sure he wanted to take his own life.'

Witnesses said the tree surgeon was driving in an 'aggressive manner' and pulled across the A47 to the layby sharply moments before the crash.

Mr Ellis' sister, Rachel Ellis, was not concerned about her brother's behaviour before the crash and no note was found.

Conditions were dry and dark at the time of the crash and there were no defects in the Ford Escort.

Mr Ellis had not taken any drugs or drunk any alcohol but it appeared he was not wearing a seat belt. His brake lights were also not used just before the crash.

Mrs Lake said wearing a seat belt would not have prevented the death.