A coroner has now ended an investigation into the death of a nursery worker from Felixstowe, who died in an crash near Ipswich last year.

Clair James was 34 when she died at the scene of a crash with a van at the Strand in Wherstead last September.

On Monday, assistant coroner Mr Peter Taheri resumed an inquest into her death at Suffolk Coroners' Court in Ipswich.

The court heard that on Tuesday, September 5, Miss James was driving her red Ford Fiesta along the B1456 towards Ipswich.

At about 7.25am, she was involved in a headlong collision with a white Isuzu D-Max, which was being driven by two marine technicians who were on their way to carry out mud sampling.

While both the van driver and its passenger were unharmed, Miss James died at the scene as a result of her injuries.

This was despite the best efforts of the emergency services, and a passing nurse and army medic who came to Miss James’ aid before they arrived.

East Anglian Daily Times: Clair James' family said that she was someone who 'took on life' and everything that came with it. Image: Suffolk PoliceClair James' family said that she was someone who 'took on life' and everything that came with it. Image: Suffolk Police (Image: Suffolk Police)

Present in court was Rhianna Ward, a forensic collision investigator who had conducted an analysis of the scene.

Ms Ward told the court that it is likely that as Miss James navigated a bend, her inside wheels entered the rut on the left-hand edge of the road. She believes that Miss James then steered to the right to rectify this, and in doing so, oversteered.

This would have caused the car to swerve into the path of the van in the opposite lane, with neither driver having time to stop before the crash occurred.

Miss James’ family had compiled a tribute to her, which was read aloud by Mr Taheri.

She was, they said, someone who “took on life and everything that came with it”.

Miss James was deputy manager at Orchard Barns Nursery in Stratford St Mary, having fallen in love with childcare.

During her career, Miss James’ family said she received praise and gratitude from parents, who appreciated the way she nurtured their children, giving them opportunities to learn and grow whilst making sure they had fun, too.

Miss James had, they said, recently met “the love of her life”, and the couple were looking forward to their first holiday together.

Mr Taheri concluded that Miss James died as the result of a road traffic accident.