An inquest has been opened into the death of a York landscape gardener and builder who died in the wreckage of a stolen private ambulance after taking the wheel.

Michael Colin South, who would have been 41 in June, died at the scene of the crash involving a car and double decker bus.

The hearing was today adjourned until July 30 at Scarborough following formal evidence of identification from the dead man's brother Stephen South, also of York.

Assistant North Yorkshire East Coroner John Broadbridge has also given the go ahead for the funeral.

Scarborough Coroner's Officer Sandra Pennock said: "He was at the wheel of a private ambulance travelling east-bound on the A64 at Flixton when it was in collision with a coach travelling in the opposite direction.

"Mr South died at the scene. Police inquiries are continuing."

Mr Broadbridge added: "This is early days in the investigation.

"Mr South was at the time residing in York. Inquiries are on-going as to where he was exactly  living at the time."

No family attended the five minute hearing at Scarborough Register Office.

Mr Broadbridge said Mr South was born in York.

His remains were identified by his brother at Harrogate Hospital on April 16.

Mr South was in a crash with a double-decker Coastliner bus on the A64 at Flaxton, near York, at 8.30pm that evening.

Five bus passengers were hurt and the driver suffered serious leg injuries.

Police said nobody else was in the ambulance and it did not belong to the NHS.

Yesterday's inquest was told the ownership of the ambulance was part of the inquiries.

A Toyota Yaris was also involved with one person in the car taken to hospital.

Mr Broadbridge said the adjournment date of July 30 was provisional.

"If all the evidence has not been gathered at this stage it may need to be adjourned again," he added.