THE death of an Evesham teenager on the A44 was an accident, an inquest has concluded.

Shaun Smith, 18, died after the red Vauxhall Corsa he was driving on the A44 between Wyre Piddle and Fladbury collided with a Renault Modus travelling in the opposite direction at around 7.25pm on Tuesday, October 2.

A post mortem showed Mr Smith, of Hipton Hill Caravan park, Lenchwick, died from shock and haemorrhage caused by multiple injuries.

At the inquest, Philip Alling, who was driving behind Mr Smith's car, said he saw two red lights ahead which suddenly disappeared.

On reaching the accident, Mr Alling called 999 and attempted to help the injured driver.

In the Coronor's Court Mr Smith's father asked him: "When you got there was my lad talking or anything?

Mr Alling replied: "No."

Shortly afterwards, Mr Smith's mother left the court in tears and the inquest was briefly halted.

The Renault driver, Elmira Adams, a solicitor travelling to her Worcester home when the collision occurred, described how she became suddenly aware of lights in front of her on her side of the road.

She said: "The distance between that vehicle and mine was so short that there was no time to react at all. I just knew instinctively there was going to be an accident."

Mrs Adams, who was trapped in the car and had to be cut free by firefighters, could not remember the impact. However, Mr Smith's father said he was not satisfied with her explanation.

Deputy coroner Margaret Barnard also read out a report from PC Graham Powell which showed he believed both cars were travelling at around 50 miles per hour in the 60 limit.

He concluded the Corsa had crossed the central line of the road placing part of the vehicle into the opposite lane and the path of the oncoming Modus and said the Corsa driver may not have realised he was entering a slight left hand curve.

Investigations showed both cars were in good condition before the collision, the road surface was in moderate condition but degrading and there was no alcohol in Mr Smith's body.

Mrs Barnard recorded a verdict that Mr Smith died as a result of an accident.