THE inquests into the deaths of two people who tragically died in last week's M5 collision have been opened.

Tony Williams, senior coroner for Somerset, opened the inquests into the deaths of Joanne Jennings, 45, and Roderick Walsh, 54, on September 24 at Taunton Coroners Office in the Old Municipal Buildings, Corporation Street.

Mrs Jennings and Mr Walsh both died on September 13 after a HGV travelling on lane one of the southbound carriageway collided with a car queueing to exit the motorway at junction 25 Taunton at about 8.30am.

The collision then impacted on six other vehicles in front of the car which were also queuing.

The coroner's court heard Joanne Jennings, of Paddock Drive, Highbridge, was confirmed dead at 9am on September 13 between J24 and J25 on the M5 southbound. Mrs Jennings was a senior carer and was the driver of one of the cars involved in the crash.

An interim post mortem report from Home Office pathologist Dr Russell Delaney confirmed the cause of death was head injuries pending the results of laboratory investigations.

Mr Williams also opened the inquest into the death of Roderick Walsh, of Springfield Close, Cheddar, was confirmed dead at 9.02am on September 13 between J24 and J25 of the M5 southbound.

Mr Walsh worked for the NHS as a commissioning officer and was the passenger of one of the cars involved in the crash.

An interim post mortem report from Dr Delaney confirmed the cause of death was chest injuries as a result of the collision pending the results of laboratory investigations.

Mr Williams adjourned both inquests while a police investigation is under way and released Mrs Jennings and Mr Walsh's bodies so their families can proceed with their funerals.

The coroner confirmed there will be a case management review on or before January 14, 2019.