TRIBUTES were paid today to a Felixstowe trucker who was killed when his lorry overturned on a double bend.Experienced driver James Kenna, 62, died when his truck overturned – but an inquest heard he was not wearing his seatbelt, which might have saved his life.

TRIBUTES were paid today to a Felixstowe trucker who was killed when his lorry overturned on a double bend.

Experienced driver James Kenna, 62, died when his truck overturned – but an inquest heard he was not wearing his seatbelt, which might have saved his life.

His death left his family and colleagues at his work, haulage contractor James Kemball Ltd in Hodgkinson Road, Felixstowe, shocked and saddened.

Ironically, his wife was unable to attend the inquest because of another accident – the one which blocked the Orwell Bridge preventing her from reaching the hearing. The coroner has asked staff to visit her to explain its findings.

Jonathan Anderson, a co-director of James Kemball Ltd, said Mr Kenna was well-liked and respected by his workmates.

"He was an experienced driver, a good man, very reliable and very friendly with the rest of the guys – it was very tragic," said Mr Anderson.

"Police felt that had he been wearing his seat belt it might possibly have saved him. It is very sad."

Mr Kenna, of King Street, Walton, joined the company in 1997. He was a former member of the Irish Guards and did a lot of driving in the forces.

The inquest held at Epping heard that the crash happened on the A414 at Bobbingworth as Mr Kenna travelled towards Harlow on May 28.

A witness driving behind the lorry, said: "I saw the lorry tilt to the left and expected it to right itself. I don't remember having to stop violently.

"I saw its right side back wheel lift off the road, lift higher and then the lorry tipped over onto its left side."

His trailer was carrying a load of photocopier paper on wooden pallets packed tightly together, unloaded from a ship.

Pc David Howard, from the traffic investigation unit, said Mr Kenna had slowed to 37mph to negotiate bends after the Four Wantz roundabout, before accelerating slightly to 41mph. Mr Kenna may have been unaware that the rear wheel was starting to lift.

Mr Anderson said it appeared the accident had been caused by a combination of factors – a double bend, the lorry travelling at the speed limit and a negative camber on the road.

The accident would have happened very quickly and there would have been no time to have corrected the lifting of the vehicle once the lorry started to tip.

A post mortem revealed the cause of death as multiple injuries and fracture.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of accidental death.