TWO teenagers died after an horrific crash between Slaithwaite and Marsden, an inquest heard.

Mark Steven Bellis, 18, of Linthwaite and Stephen Thomas Moorhouse, 17, of Marsden, an apprentice builder, died after the accident on Manchester Road on May 2 this year.

Kirklees Coroner Roger Whittaker ruled that Mr Bellis, the driver of the crashed Fiat Punto had died accidentally.

He said that Mr Moorhouse, a passenger in the car, was unlawfully killed.

Dr Mohammed Aslam, consultant pathologist, found both men died of head injuries having suffered fractures to the skull.

Damon Metcalf, 15, of Woods Terrace, Marsden, was a front seat passenger in the car and survived the crash.

He told the inquest in Huddersfield he was unable to recall any events leading up to the accident.

Mark Toner, 16, of Woods Avenue, Marsden, was sitting in the back of the car.

He recalled feeling they were going too fast and felt the vibration of the car as it started to skid.

He said Mark Bellis had not wanted to drive because he did not have a lot of petrol, but he had been urged to take them out for a drive.

Mr Alan Dronsfield, of Grotton, Saddleworth, said he was driving a Citroen van towards Marsden when he saw the Punto coming towards him diagonally across the road.

The car crashed into the kerb and went back on to its side of the road, spun on to some railings and hit a tree.

Two people were thrown out.

Mr Dronsfield estimated the car was travelling at 70mph.

He phoned for an ambulance and residents who lived nearby came out of their homes to help.

Pc Darren Dacosta told the inquest the driver was still in his seat with the seatbelt on and two people were on the kerb.

Pc Alan Broadbent, accident investigator, said the Punto was well maintained.

There was a big pool of blood in the road and tyre marks stretched for 10.5 metres.

Railings along the edge of the cemetery had been demolished for 14 metres.

Bits of the car were found in the cemetery.

The trunk of a tree in the cemetery had been damaged by impact with the car.

Pc Broadbent said the car would have been travelling at no less than 53mph and possibly up to 70mph.

The speed limit leading up to the accident site was 40mph.

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