Tring teen died after losing control on damp road
Ben Wesley.
A TEENAGER died in a car accident less than a year after passing his driving test at the first attempt.
An inquest heard how 17-year-old Ben Wesley, of Meadow Close, lost control of his car before 8am while driving along the A251 to his job in Berkhamsted on Tuesday, February 21.
There was no evidence that the new driver was distracted – his blood test was clear, he had gone to bed at a reasonable time the night before, no music was playing in the car and he had not been using a mobile phone.
The driver of a car he had overtaken shortly before his accident had told the investigating police officers that Ben was handling the bends in the road well.
During the inquest held yesterday (Tuesday, July 3) a statement written by his mother Tracey described him as having a promising future and that he was a sensible young man, who looked after his car.
No-one saw why Ben got into difficulties on the road.
Forensic collision investigator PC Alan Kemp explained to the inquest, held yesterday, that it was cold and there were damp patches on the road that caused it to have less friction.
Ben’s black Renault Clio came off the 60mph road just past the junction with Newground Road. It hit a telegraph pole and rotated around it before crashing into a wooden fence.
The speedometer read 67mph but PC Kemp explained the reading could be faster than the car was actually travelling because quite often the wheels spin and give an over-reading.
He also explained that Ben not wearing a seatbelt made no difference to his safety in the crash because it was wood coming into the car that caused his injuries.
The youngster was air-lifted to the Royal London Hospital where he died the following day from catastrophic head injuries.
Coroner Edward Thomas recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Tring
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
