Dad-of-four Shaun McArthur, and Calvin Hamilton, 21, died after their Ford Transit van collided with a heavy goods lorry on the A77 at Maybole, near Ayr on March 2012.

The inquiry took place at Ayr Sheriff Court last week and adjourned on Tuesday so the sheriff can consider their verdict.

A 15-year-old boy — Mr McArthur’s son — was also injured in the horrific crash and suffered a broken collar bone and cracked hip. He also required eight stitches to his head.

Tributes poured in at the time for the two well-loved characters, who had been out working for Shaun’s business — All Weather Roofing.

The 55-year-old lorry driver was also taken to hospital but was released the same day after receiving treatment. The heartbroken families of the two men previously paid tribute to them.

Shaun’s wife Nicola spoke to the Reporter and paid tribute to her husband following the accident.

She said: “Shaun was a family man. He loved the kids to bits and wanted the best for them.

“Calvin and Shaun were best friends. Calvin was really nice, you couldn’t have met a nicer boy.” Calvin’s distraught family say they have been left “stunned” and “devastated” by the loss of their hard-working son, who deeply loved his two sisters.

Nicola added: “We were married 18 years this year. We got married quite young and had the weans quite young — we were engaged within a year. He was a family man — he was very family orientated. He loved the kids to bits and wanted the best for them.

“He worked all the time to provide for his family and that’s where he was that day.

“He was a great laugh, he was absolutely loved by everyone.

“He was a very, very popular guy.”