Police to interview lorry driver involved in fatal crash

An inquest has opened into the death of comedian Gareth Richards following a crash on the M25 in March.

West London Coroner’s Court heard that the  43-year-old died as a result of head injuries sustained in the accident late at night on Monday March 27.

The hearing has been adjourned to allow police to interview a lorry driver involved in the crash, the PA news agency reports.

A crowdfunder set up to help support the comedian’s two sons – aged 11 and 13 – has raised £45,000 from 649 comedy colleagues and fans.

Richards, a circuit and Edinburgh Fringe regular, was best known for his role on Frank Skinner’s Absolute Radio show, with the host paying tribute to his ‘kind, gentle, funny, fascinating’ friend  soon after the accident.

The comedian’s wife Laura previously disclosed how her husband sustained serious brain injuries in the accident, and he died on Good Friday, April 7.

She  said: ‘He was so loved by so many people and will be greatly missed but we know he is now at peace. He loved the boys so much and was very proud of them.’

Coroner Lydia Brown is overseeing the inquest into his death.

Published: 3 May 2023