A pregnant mum-of-two from Oldham who died in a car crash is believed to have pulled into the hard shoulder on the M66 to answer a phone call, an inquest has heard.

At Rochdale Coroners Court today (May 24), assistant coroner Matthew Cox opened the inquest into the death of Frankie Hough.

Frankie, 38, was in the car with her two sons, Tommy and Rocky, and her nephew, Tobias, on Saturday, May 13 when she was crashed into.

The court heard from police coroners officer Tracy Bunn, who said on May 13, the mum was on the M66 heading towards Manchester when she pulled over to the hard shoulder.

PCO Bunn said it is believed she was answering a phone call.

She said a car that was travelling at excessive speed lost control and crashed into the back of Frankie's car.

Frankie, who lived on Edgeware Road, Chadderton, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital with life-threatening injuries and died two days later on May 15.

PCO Bunn gave the cause of death as "head injuries".

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She added an investigation is currently underway and a man, Adil Iqbal, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Iqbal, 22, of Hope Street, Accrington, has also been charged with two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to injuries sustained by Tommy and Tobias.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, on June 19.

Following the mum's death, tributes and donations to Frankie and her family have poured in, with a GoFundMe page raising more than £50,000 in donations.

Her friend, Debbie Wright, who set up the appeal for funds, wrote: "Words cannot express what her family and friends are going through now, not to mention her poor boys who now have to grow up without their mummy and sister they never got to meet.

"Frankie touched the lives of so many with her beautiful, kind soul.

"Heaven has gained a true angel."

Kimberley Woodward, from Buttercup Day Nursery, described Frankie as a "special person" who was "fierce, protective, happy and so talented".

Laura Reeves-Ashton called her "one of the most kindest, honest and loving people ever", while Louise Fitton, another friend of Frankie's, said she was "the best mamma, and no doubt the best daughter, sister, auntie and friend to all that knew" her.

In a Facebook post shared on Tuesday, May 23, Tobias' father Arron Welby said: "My Tobias is moving forward everyday we cannot thank the nurses and doctors enough for their constant care.

"We continue on this path of uncertainty feeling the love and support of all our friends and family.

"Thank you everyone from my family to yours."

Tobias' family shared last week that he had been placed in an induced coma with a brain injury and a fractured skull.