A "well-loved father and husband" from Darwen who was killed in a high-speed crash in Egerton almost four years ago was not wearing a seatbelt, an inquest has heard.

Kelvin Robert Baker, 35, died of multiple injuries after the Audi he was driving crashed into a pillar at around 67mph on December 15, 2019, in Blackburn Road, Egerton.

Coroner Professor Alan Walsh halted the inquest hearing into the death of the nightclub doorman and personal trainer on November 10, 2021, ordering police to investigate further into the suspicions of two cars racing and being driven dangerously.

Prof Walsh said he "did not give up" on waiting for more evidence since first opening the inquest, and "will not receive one-page reports from the police in the Coroner’s Court again".

The coroner questioned why Greater Manchester Police had not interviewed or taken statements from six witnesses who were in Mr Baker's Audi A4 and a Mercedes-Benz belonging to Darren Needham.

The inquest heard the driver of the Mercedes parked the vehicle away from the crash scene as paramedics tended to Mr Baker, and lied to police saying they had arrived in a taxi.

Prof Walsh also wanted to hear about the calculations of speed and positions of each vehicle at each location and the estimated distance between the vehicles.

PC Robert Wilson gave evidence of CCTV footage of both of the vehicles and confirmed the Mercedes would not have been able to view the crash of the Audi from the distance between them, with additional loss of control and bad weather conditions.

The court heard the statements of four witnesses, with James and David Barr refusing to attend.

PC Wilson stated Mr Baker was not wearing a seatbelt, with witness Jermaine Jeffrey stating he "would not be here today" if he had not worn his.

Described as Mr Baker’s "best friend", witness Darren Mallien gave evidence and said: “I am here to tell the truth, so I can lay him to rest today.”

In his statement, Mr Mallien said on the night of the tragedy, Mr Baker, of Robert Street, Darwen, offered him some work at CUBO nightclub in Fallowfield, Manchester.

When they had finished working at about 2.30am, and walked back to where the car was parked, Mr Mallien started to take cocaine.

Mr Mallien said when they reached Egerton, Mr Baker's car went out of sight round a slight bend, but as the Mercedes came round the same stretch of road, they saw his car had crashed.

Three other passengers in the Audi were injured, one seriously, and Mr Baker died in the early hours of January 15 at Royal Bolton Hospital.

Serioulsy injured witness Frankie Brown also appeared at Bolton Coroner's Court at Paderborn House, but could not remember anything from the incident due to the severity of his injuries, which resulted in him having to learn how to speak again.

Pathologist Dr Jamie Robinson said the cause of death was due to multiple injuries to the head, neck and chest, with Prof Walsh agreeing with this after further investigation.

Speaking to the wife of Mr Baker, Simone Baker, Prof Walsh said: "I am sorry that it has taken four years, but we have got a better investigation with more evidence, and it is better late than never.

"I am sorry for the loss of your husband, your child's father, and for the last four years where you have fought for information and still may not have as much as you would like.

"There was no way I would have left the case open in 2021, and I want to thank Greater Manchester Police for their co-operation and the retrieval of evidence for this well-loved man."

It was concluded Mr Baker died as a result of a road traffic collision.