AN inquest opened today into the death of four friends who lost their lives in a two car collision on the A420 in Oxfordshire.

Assistant coroner Nicholas Gardiner said all four passengers, who were travelling in a blue Citroen Saxo, were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics on May 22. 

The car, which was being driven by Samuel Jones, 23, from Northampton, collided head-on with a black Mercedes between the Watchfield roundabout and the Highworth turn off of the Shrivenham bypass at 11.15pm. 

It is believed the group were travelling back from Veg Fest in Bristol towards Oxford, while the Mercedes was travelling in the opposite direction.

Mr Jones, a welder, was in the car with Sam Kay, a 26-year-old mental health careworker from Crawley, Nicoletta Toco, a 25-year-old administration clerk from Northampton and Brogan Warren, 21, also from Northampton. 

Mr Gardiner said he expected a full inquest to be held on November 22 at 10am.

Tributes have been flooding in for the friends, with one tribute to Brogan Warren reading: "I'm still completely in shock. What a sad, sad day. R.I.P my beautiful, shining star! I'm absolutely heartbroken and don't even know what to do with myself right now.

"I can't get it through my head that I'll never see your beautiful, smiley face again and I'll never get to dance and go crazy at events with you again!

"You were one of the most beautiful, kindest people I've ever met, and it breaks my heart knowing that I'll never see you again.

"I will never, ever forget all the beautiful words you said to me, I will always think about you Brogan."

The three occupants of the Mercedes, the male driver, a female passenger in her thirties and a three-year-old boy from Swindon were all taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Thames Valley Police is still investigating the collision.

Any one with information please contact Det Sgt Collier via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101 quoting URN 1546 22/5 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.