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‘Naive' head boy killed two friends in car crash day after passing test

‘Naive' head boy killed two friends in car crash day after passing test

Telegraph18 hours ago
A 'naive' head boy killed two of his friends in a car crash the day after passing his test, an inquest heard.
Jenson Bridges, 17, lost control of his Audi before it smashed into a tree at 'excessive speed' in Offoxey Road, in Tong, near Shifnal, Shropshire.
Bridges died alongside Simon Evans, 18, a taekwondo world champion, and Jacob Holman, a 17-year-old restaurant worker.
George Taylor, 17, suffered life-changing injuries but survived the crash, which happened at around 11.15pm on March 14.
An inquest in Shrewsbury heard that, after Jenson passed his driving test, the group had met up with eight other friends to 'go for a drive.'
Friends said Jenson had turned off the traction control in his car, so he could 'wheelspin' away from a Vauxhall Corsa and VW Golf.
They told police they thought Jenson was exceeding the national speed limit of 60mph and travelling at around '90-95mph' as he sped off.
Heath Westerman, assistant coroner for Shropshire, said Offoxey Road had been described by forensic officers as in a 'state of disrepair' with numerous potholes and bumps.
Investigating officers said the vehicle's speedometer was stuck at 37mph, but disregarded that and suggested the incident was 'not a low-speed' crash.
The court was told that the car suffered 'catastrophic' damage, with the near-side front wheel detaching from the vehicle.
Investigators believe the car hit a bump in the road, causing it to hit the nearside verge, which threw the vehicle into a hedgerow and finally into a tree.
Following the crash, the two cars following the Audi stopped, and the eight occupants did what they could to offer life-saving help to their four friends.
Bridges and Holman both later died in hospital from 'non-survivable head injuries'.
Evans died instantly from 'multiple traumatic injuries' after being ejected from the car.
The coroner said Jenson's Audi had passed its MOT, was taxed, had valid insurance and was found to have had 'no mechanical defects' at the time of the crash.
Jenson was also found not to have any drugs or alcohol in his system.
Recording a conclusion that the three teenagers had died as a result of a road traffic collision, the coroner said: 'The collision was caused by the naïve actions of a young, inexperienced and newly qualified driver.'
Following their deaths, family members paid tribute to the boys.
Jacob, of Codsall, Staffordshire, was described as 'funny, loving and caring' while Simon, of Perton, Staffordshire, was hailed a 'loving and kind gentleman' who 'always had a smile on his face'.
Jenson, of Brewood, Staffordshire, had the 'purest heart, who loved life and lived it to the full', said his family.
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