In his evidence, West Coast Express truck driver Martin Crean said he had been travelling towards Foxford with a 45ft trailer when the car came around a bend at speed on the wrong side of the road

After recording verdicts of accidental deaths in both cases, the coroner read into the record Arnaud Tournié’s letter to Mr Crean.

Mr Tournié wrote: “No words can express the depth of my grief. Yet, despite this immense pain, I want you to know I do not hold you responsible for this tragedy.

“I want to extend my heartfelt support to you. I know you must carry this image with you every day, and that it cannot be easy for you or your loved ones.

“I do not want you to be consumed by guilt, because this accident was neither the result of any wrongdoing or negligence on your part.

“You did what you could and no one is ever truly prepared for such a moment — unfathomable and unfair — for all of us.

“Please receive these words as a gesture of compassion, of humanity, and, I hope, a small measure of solace.

“I wish you with time the inner peace needed to move forward and to honour, in your own way, the memory of these two beautiful souls.”