AN inquest into the death of a 41-year-old chef, who died in a car crash in America, has been opened in Blackburn.

Michael Baldwin, who lived in Music Mountain Road, Connecticut, but was originally from Blackburn, died on January 26 at around 12.30am when his car crashed into a barrier and then a tree.

The court heard that driving conditions at the time were difficult because of snow.

A post-mortem examination was carried out in America and returned a cause of death as multiple blunt traumatic injuries.

The inquest was adjourned to allow for more information to be sent from America.

Mr Baldwin was working in a fish and chip shop in New York during the 9/11 disaster.

Together with his colleagues, he prepared free food for the rescue workers.