Kentish Express Ashford & District
Hundreds at mass as inquest opens into crash deaths
A Toyota Hilux which crashed in Headcorn killing four people was being driven by 44-year-old father Johnny Cash, an inquest has heard.
Coroner Katrina Hepburn read into evidence that Kent Fire and Rescue Service had been called to release him from the driver’s seat of the wrecked vehicle.
Mr Cash, from Martins Gardens, Lenham Road, Headcorn, died at the scene from multiple injuries, as did his son John Boy Cash, 19, of the same address, and Miles Cash, 25, of Campion Crescent, Cranbrook, and Jacko Cosgrove, 18, of Woodland Vale, Shadoxhurst.
The coroner heard that for reasons unknown, the nearside wheels of the pick-up truck had gone onto the verge, then the vehicle slipped down a gully and crashed into a tree.
The accident happened in Lenham Road, Headcorn, on Sunday, October 10, in the early hours.
A 15-year-old boy, Jerry Cash, who was also a passenger in the vehicle, is still in King’s College Hospital with serious head injuries.
On Monday, a mass was held for the four dead men, who were from the travelling community, at St Francis Church in Maidstone.
It was attended by hundreds of people.
Johnny Cash was a landscaper. Born in Hillingdon, he was married to Bridget.
John Boy Cash, also a landscaper and also born in Hillingdon, was married to Grace.
The couple have a baby, Bridie. Miles Cash, married to Mary, was unemployed.
Jacko Cosgrove was described as a groundworker.
A member of Tenterden Amateur Boxing Club, he was single and was born in Oxford.
The inquest was adjourned for a full hearing to be held on March 1 at the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone.