Area coroner Robin Weyell formally opened the hearing into the death of Thomas Andrew Plane at Norfolk Coroner’s Court.

Coroner Robin Weyell. (Image: Denise Bradley)

The court heard Mr Plane died following a collision involving a car and two pedestrians on Barrack Street at around 1.20am on December 24.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency services, including ambulance and fire crews, attended the incident, with a road closure in place from Ketts Hill until later that morning while investigations were carried out.

A second pedestrian was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Opening the investigation, Mr Weyell said Mr Plane’s provisional cause of death was chest injuries sustained in the collision.

Police at Barrack Street in Norwich following the fatal crash on Christmas Eve. (Image: Newsquest)

Two single red roses were left near scene of the fatal crash (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Witnesses previously described being woken by screaming in the moments after the crash.

One said the scene was “horrific”, adding that the man was trapped beneath the vehicle and “all you could see were his fingertips” while the rest of his body remained underneath.

A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

Nicolae Brica, of Heathgate, Norwich, later appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Boxing Day, where he pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Sentencing has since been adjourned and is due to take place later this year.

Police launched an appeal for witnesses following the crash, which happened in the early hours of Christmas Eve and led to a significant emergency response in the city.

Mr Weyell formally opened the investigation and adjourned proceedings for a full inquest hearing, which will take place on September 22 this year.

The court was told Mr Plane lived in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

© Norwich Evening News