An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of a 28-year-old Newton Abbot man who died after a car crash in Bickington on Sunday.

South Devon coroner Ian Arrow opened the inquest on Alexander Pearson, pictured, of 33 Devon Square, Newton Abbot, on Wednesday.

Cause of death was ascertained as multiple injuries.

Keith Pearson identified the body of his son in the Chapel of Rest at Torbay Hospital on Tuesday, the inquest heard.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Alexander – known as Alex by friends and family – was a waiter at The Passage House Hotel, Kingsteignton, for the last two years.

Kate Tyler, front of house manager, said staff were shocked at the news.

'There is a nasty cloud hanging over the hotel at the moment as we are all so upset,' she said.

'He worked his shift at the hotel on Saturday morning and we were expecting him in on Sunday, then his parents came in and told us the news. It really is a horrible time.

'He was a bubbly man, was always on the go and was fun to be around. He will be sadly missed.'

Friend and colleague Danielle Palmer said: 'He was such a kind guy and would do anything for me.

'He was genuine and always smiling.

'I don't think it's dawned on me that he's actually gone. I keep thinking he'll come running up to me in the restaurant or kitchen to chat.

'I was out with him in Newton Abbot the night before he died.

'He joined me and my girlfriends at midnight. He was driving so wasn't drinking.

'It's so daunting to think he was alive that night and a few hours later he is no longer with us.'

Police investigations are continuing into the incident, which occurred on the A383 Ashburton Road, near the Dartmoor Halfway Inn, shortly before 8.30am.

It involved a red Mazda 323 being driven by Mr Pearson, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and a white Renault van.

It is thought Mr Pearson was travelling towards Newton Abbot and the other vehicle was heading towards the A38,

The van driver, a 42-year-old man, also from the Newton Abbot area, received minor injuries and was treated by paramedics.

The road was closed for eight hours to allow investigators to examine the scene and recover the vehicles. Police are appealing for witnesses.

Fire crews from Ashburton and Newton Abbot attended along with a pump from Paignton, which had a gas detector on board.

'There were reports that there were gas cylinders, which included oxy-acetylene and argon, in the back of the van. Those types of gas are used for cutting metals,' said Andy Rowse, station manager at Paignton.

'We found the cylinders to be strapped in the van but we inspected them to make sure they were safe.

'Our other main role there was making sure the vehicles were safe and support the police. We were at the scene for around an hour-and-a-half.'

Witnesses should call police on 08452 444777, quoting log 297 060211.