A NEW date has been set for the inquest of an Oxford University historian who died on Christmas Eve after a car crash on the M40.

Lecturer Mark Whittow and 29-year-old car mechanic Shane Stokes were both killed in the collision on the northbound carriageway near Banbury on Saturday, December 24.

An inquest into the deaths was initially due to start at Oxford Coroner’s Court yesterday, but has now been rescheduled for July 25 as Thames Valley Police investigations are still continuing.

Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter, speaking at a pre-inquest review, said any criminal charges would impact any inquest and the July date could change.