An inquest has opened into the death of a much-loved Ipswich dad and cyclist. 

Ben Jacobs, 47, who lived in Rushmere St Andrew, died following a crash in Bentley on May 17 this year.

He had been cycling with friends Darren Cook, 48, Jason Taylor, 50, and Dave Solomon, 55, when a vehicle struck him and one other cyclist in Church Road.

Mr Jacobs suffered a traumatic brain injury, that was described in Ipswich Coroners Court as "unsurvivable".

Ipswich Star: Ben Jacobs, who passed away following a crash in May.Ben Jacobs, who passed away following a crash in May. (Image: Contributed)

He was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where he later passed away on May 18. 

Mr Solomon was also injured during the crash but later released from hospital. 

Mr Jacobs was a loving father to three children, Thomas, Olivia and Holly, and a devoted husband of 25 years to Faye.

Paying tribute to Mr Jacobs in June, his wife Faye said they were childhood sweethearts, "inseparable" from the day they met, when she was 15 years old.

Ipswich Star: Ben Jacobs died after the crash in BentleyBen Jacobs died after the crash in Bentley (Image: Suffolk police)

She added: "Ben was a brilliant husband who always made me laugh and feel safe, I will forever be lost without him. 

“Ben loved being a dad, was always supportive, and took his responsibilities very seriously. He made all my worries go away and he will forever be missed."

Ipswich Star: Mr Jacobs was a keen runner, cyclist and swimmer, and regularly took on challenges and was heavily involved with the Ipswich Parkrun. Credit: ContributedMr Jacobs was a keen runner, cyclist and swimmer, and regularly took on challenges and was heavily involved with the Ipswich Parkrun. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

A keen cyclist and swimmer, Mr Jacobs was one of the race directors of Ipswich Parkrun and hundreds gathered to attend his funeral in the summer.

In an online tribute, the Park Run team wrote that he was "a friend to us all... a family man, a gentleman, kind and considerate. He made time for everyone."

More than £16,000 was raised in a fundraiser to support the family following the incident, with more than £9,000 in the first 48 hours.

Ipswich Star: Ben Jacobs (left) with friend and colleague Barry Perkins (right) when they were younger, having been friends since teenage years. Credit: ContributedBen Jacobs (left) with friend and colleague Barry Perkins (right) when they were younger, having been friends since teenage years. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

Nigel Parsley, senior coroner for Suffolk, opened the inquest in Ipswich Coroners Court on Friday (December 22).

The inquest date has been set for June 24, 2024.