Coroner's unlawful killing verdict on double death crash

Sep 19 2008 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A CORONER has decided that two teenagers who died in a crash in Huddersfield were unlawfully killed.

Jade Rice and Daniel Atkinson, both 17, were killed in the early hours of January 29, 2006, when the car they were travelling in hit a tree and then a lamp-post on Bradley Road.

Coroner Roger Whittaker yesterday recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on the two youngsters.

The inquest had been held over two days, first at Huddersfield and then Bradford Coroner’s Court.

It was the first time the full facts of the case had been heard in public, despite the driver of the car Mohammed Tanwir facing two police prosecutions over the deaths. Charges of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop had been dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Mr Whittaker said he would not be referring the case back to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“This is probably the only court where the full facts relating to this tragedy will be ventilated.”