A MAN died after a car he was driving left the road and crashed into a tree, an inquest heard.

Callum Murray, 37, was behind the wheel of a silver BMW when the horror crash took place in Foxhall Road, between Steeple and Southminster.

Police officers and paramedics were called to the scene shortly after 4.30pm on Sunday, July 23, to reports of a single vehicle crash.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Murray, who lived at home with his parents in St Lawrence, was tragically declared dead at the scene.

Gazette: Tragic crash - Callum Murray, 37, died after crashing into a tree in Foxhall RoadTragic crash - Callum Murray, 37, died after crashing into a tree in Foxhall Road (Image: Google)

A second man, a passenger in the 37-year-old’s BMW, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries following the incident.

An inquest was opened into Mr Murray’s death at Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford on Tuesday morning.

A post-mortem examination determined his provisional cause of death was as a result of traumatic head injuries he suffered, area coroner Michelle Brown said.

The results of a toxicology report, which are needed to finalise Mr Murray’s cause of death, are still being awaited by the coroner’s office.

Gazette: Inquest - Callum Murray died from traumatic head injuries he suffered in the crashInquest - Callum Murray died from traumatic head injuries he suffered in the crash (Image: Archant)

“Police were called to a single vehicle road traffic collision,” said Ms Brown.

“They found a motor vehicle driven by Mr Murray who had left the road and struck a tree. He had sadly passed away.

“A hospital post-mortem and toxicology have been taken and police are not looking for any prosecution in this case.”

The coroner said Mr Murray’s death will “likely” be explored during a documentary inquest to be heard at a later date.

Gazette: Hearing - the inquest was opened at Essex Coroner's CourtHearing - the inquest was opened at Essex Coroner's Court

She said a date cannot be fixed until until the toxicology reports are returned, adding: “This could take several months.”

Foxhall Road remained closed for more than six hours as investigators probed the scene and emergency workers helped to clear it up.

At the time, Essex Police appealed for witnesses, anyone with information or those with dashcam footage to contact its officers.

The coroner passed on her condolences to Mr Murray’s friends and family at the conclusion of the hearing.