INQUESTS were opened today into the deaths of four people who died on Oxfordshire’s roads last week.

The 43-year-old woman who died in a crash on Monday, July 27 on the B4016 between Drayton and Sutton Courtenay was named by Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter as Claire Caldwell from Fyfield Wick.

Mrs Caldwell, who was also known as Claire Mayhew, lived in Oaks Caravan Park in the village.

Reading from a police report at the inquest opening at Oxford Coroner’s Court Mr Salter said: “Mrs Caldwell was a front seat passenger. The vehicle appears to have travelled across the carriageway and crashed forcefully into a tree.”

Paramedics were called to the scene but could not save Mrs Caldwell, who was pronounced dead shortly before 4pm on July 27 due to multiple injuries.

Her inquest will resume on January 26.

Two people killed in a crash later the same day on the M40 were named as Alexander Green from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire and Mark Smith, from Tonbridge, Kent.

Mr Salter said the pair died after the car they were travelling in crashed close to Junction 9 of the M40 southbound at about 8.45pm.

He said police believed Mr Green, a 29-year-old martial arts tutor who was born in Pembury, Kent, was the driver of the car.

Mr Smith, 33, is believed to have been a passenger.

Reading from a police report Mr Salter said: “The vehicle left the carriageway and collided with the near side barrier. It hit a sign before bursting into flames.”

Both men were declared dead at the scene due to multiple injuries, smoke inhalation and burning.

Their inquests will resume on January 14.

A man who died on Tuesday, January 28 on the A420 near Faringdon was named by Mr Salter as David Wakefield from Aldbourne, Wiltshire.

The 71-year-old died when the vehicle he was driving collided head-on with another vehicle which had been driving on the opposite side of the road at about 9am.

He was pronounced dead shortly after the air ambulance arrived with a cause of death given as multiple injuries.

His inquest will resume on January 21.