"At every family occasion, there are always two faces missing," say the family of a husband and wife who both died in a serious motorbike crash.

The heartbroken family have described how they have faced a nightmare journey since the pair's death, who crashed just days before their 29th wedding anniversary.

After overtaking a Mini hatchback, 51-year-old Gary Vincent applied the emergency brakes on his black Honda motorcycle after seeing a Ford Transit van ahead.

Both Gary and 47-year-old wife Joanne separated from the bike and slid along the road, colliding with the van, before coming to a stop on Ashes Road in Cressing, Braintree.

Mrs Vincent sadly died at the scene, whereas Mr Vincent was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Two months after the fatal crash, Mr Vincent, died at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, on October 5 2017.

At the time of their deaths Joanne and Gary, who had two children together, were living in Braintree.

Gary and Joanne's full inquests were heard this week

"We miss being able to talk to them"

Paying tribute following a full inquest into Mr and Mrs Vincent's death at Seax House in Chelmsford, their family said: “We could never have imagined how the events of August 14 2017, and the days that followed, would change our lives.

"The loss of our much loved mum and dad, daughter, sibling, niece, aunt and uncle, cousin, and friend has left a gaping hole in all of our lives.

“We lost Joanne’s love for her family, for her dogs and her vocal opinion on any given subject - ranging from the weather to politics, via the price of an ice-cream.

“We lost Gary’s calm voice of reason, his sense of humour and his ability to fix everything from a computer to a broken gear box.

“We miss being able to talk to them, to share the good times and the bad. At every family occasion there are always two faces missing. Mostly, we just miss their physical presence in our lives.

The members of the public who brought them comfort

“We would like to thank the members of all the emergency services who attended on that day, Essex Police’s family liaison officers Heidi and Dawn, and the staff of Addenbrooke’s and Broomfield hospitals for the care they gave to Gary.

“We would also like to thank the members of the public who rushed to try and help Joanne and Gary in the immediate aftermath of the accident. It was a comfort to us to know that they were not alone before the emergency services arrived on the scene.

“Finally, we would like to thank our amazing extended family and friends who have walked every step of this nightmare journey with us. We are so grateful for your continuing love and support.

“Nothing can ever change what happened that day, but today finally gives us some closure and allows us to move on from those events.

“Joanne and Gary were together for 30 years - Joanne died 10 days before their 29th Wedding anniversary.

"They didn’t know how to not be together. They never knew what it was like to be apart.”

Inquest reveals further details about the collision

On Tuesday (June 11), the full inquest into both their deaths revealed further details about the collision.

Alan Clemence, Coroner's officer said: "A post-mortem examination carried out by Dr Swift, a Forensic Pathologist, found that Joanne died of multiple injuries and Gary died of inflammation of the lungs, caused by multiple injuries.

Jason Howard, a Forensic Collision Investigator for Essex Police, attended the scene approximately 40 minutes after the incident occured.

He said: "When I arrived it was daylight, the road surface was dry and the weather was fine and visibility was good. 

"The road surface was in genuinely good order, and the roads speed limit was 50mph."

The inquest heard how the two vehicles involved, the Honda and the Ford Transit were tested for any faults for defects at the scene but none were found. 

They were taken away to a premises for further tests but a fire at the premises completely destroyed both vehicles.

Dash cam footage

Dash cam footage from a Mercedes Sprinter van that was following the Transit assisted Police in their investigations.

Mr Howard said: "The footage shows the Ford Transit being followed by the Mercedes Sprinter van.

"The Honda motorbike had been following a black Mini hatchback, the Honda overtook the Mini.

Mr Vincent reacted by applying emergency brakes. With the front wheel of the Honda locked, its stability was compromised.

"It fell onto its side then continued sliding towards the Ford.

"Even if Mr Vincent was able to maneuver his motorcycle, unless it had been travelling at a lower speed, a collision was inevitable."

The inquest heard how the driver of the Ford Transit was breathalysed at the scene and was negative for alcohol consumption.

The full inquest as overseen by Coroner Eleanor McGann, who said: "This was a tragic event which happened for no discernible reason. Sometimes hideous accidents do just happen, they can happen at anytime to anyone.

Ms McGann recorded both Joanne and Gary's death as an accident.

She added: "It is utterly appalling and changes your life, and makes you feel like nothing will ever be the same again.

"You have lost two of your beloved family members, what I hope is that by coming today and by listening to this very sad evidence, you are now able to put these very sad circumstances of their deaths behind you and instead remember their lives.

"I hope that you will be able to go away now and perhaps share the memories of the happier times you had together."

Following the collision a 70-year-old man was under police investigation and a 44-year-old man was arrested but both were released and no further action was taken.