THE widow of a Silsden lorry driver who died in a horrific crash on the M6 has paid tribute to her "soul mate" following an inquest into the circumstances of his death.

Trevor Kitchingman, 42, died after the articulated lorry he was driving was in collision with a low-loader on the motorway in the Autumn of last year.

His vehicle was most badly damaged and the trailer broke free from the tractor unit, before crushing the cab and causing the injuries which led to his instant death.

An inquest took place this week at Kendal Magistrates Court in the Lake District and a verdict of death by road traffic collision was recorded.

However, Kath Kitchingman said the hearing had done little to provide the family with any addition information about the circumstances of the fatal collision.

Instead, the hearing had confirmed details which the family had already been aware of, through the evidence given by witnesses.

"I have come away not knowing anything I didn't already know," she said.

"I wanted more answers, which I didn't get at the inquest. It is maybe now a case of trying to move forwards.

"It has been like a living nightmare and still is. I have lost my soul mate," she said.

Trevor had been driving a livestock trailer at the time of the collision and a section of the M6, between junctions 41 and 42, was closed for more than 15 hours while emergency services worked on the aftermath of the crash and the initial investigation into what happened in October last year.

He worked for Longthornes of Hebden and was a professional and experienced heavy goods vehicle driver, as well as a qualified mechanic.

His driving career meant he had a wide network of friends and professional acquaintances, meaning the church was packed at his funeral in November.

"People came from all over the country. He travelled the length and breadth of the country through his job and we had condolences from all four corners of the UK.

"About 90 per cent of the people at the funeral I did not know, though I knew them by name. He was described as a gentle giant, a happy personality who would help anyone with anything."

Trevor also treated Kath's children Kristeena, 22, and Karl, 20, as his own and they had also had a traumatic experience since his death, she added.