Megan Harding-Jones not wearing seatbelt in fatal crash

A teenager who died in a horror crash was thrown from her vehicle because she was not wearing her seatbelt, an inquest heard. 

Tragic Megan Harding-Jones, 18, died after her Volkswagen Polo left the road near North Weald, Essex, and ended up in a nearby field in the early hours of April 15 2017. 

Police attended the incident and closed off the road at around 3.30am while forensics examinations were carried out.

The inquest into Megan’s death opened yesterday, with her parents and a family friend in attendance.

 Tragic: Megan Harding-Jones was killed after she was thrown form her Volkswagen Polo when the car left the road in rural Essex 

The court heard how Megan was out with some friends in Chelmsford when she decided to drive to her home in North Weald.

The youngster was driving on the A414, towards Harlow, when her car left the road and came to a halt in a field before Megan was thrown from the vehicle.

An ambulance was called and her death was confirmed at the scene.

A post mortem examination was carried out at Princess Alexandra hospital, where a pathologist confirmed the cause of death to be multiple injuries due to a road traffic incident.

A toxicology report was carried out which revealed Megan had a small amount of alcohol in her blood which was below the legal limit.

The court called PC Jason Howard to give evidence, who confirmed that Megan’s car was the only vehicle involved.

He told the court: ‘PC Burke attended the scene and arrived around two hours after it happened.

‘The road is a single carriageway with one traffic lane in each direction.

The collision occurred on the Harlow bound traffic lane just before a double bend warning sign, approximately 95 meters beyond the bus stop layby.

It is not known why the teenager's vehicle left the road but PC Jason Howard said it was possible Megan had been trying to avoid an animal that jumped out in front of her 

It is not known why the teenager’s vehicle left the road but PC Jason Howard said it was possible Megan had been trying to avoid an animal that jumped out in front of her 

‘It was a mild, cloudy night. Megan had been out in Chelmsford with her friends and was driving towards Harlow to her home address.

‘The A414 is very dark, there is no street lights or ambient light available. Megan’s lights were thought to be on, actually on full beam but that could have been moved during the collision.

‘For an unknown reason, the vehicle left the road and began to turn in a clockwise direction. There is no evidence to say what caused the loss on control.

‘The vehicle went through a hedge and continued to turn in a clockwise direction for around 90 degrees, the rear wheel dug in and this caused the car to roll.

‘It travelled on its side through a bank into a field where it continued to roll coming to a rest on its wheels.

‘Megan was thrown out of the vehicle and this indicated that Megan was not wearing her seatbelt. She died at the scene.’

On examining the scene, officers found broken glass in the area, debris and a number of loose items in the foot well of the car, which was all consistent with the damage of a car crash.

PC Howard continued: ‘There are a number of possibilities as to why the car left the road. It could have been because of an emergency reaction i.e. a person or animal on the road, tiredness or medical complications, intoxication or impairment or distraction.

Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: 'She clearly was much loved and I would like to express my sympathy to you on your loss'

Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: ‘She clearly was much loved and I would like to express my sympathy to you on your loss’

‘It’s a very rural area so it is possible an animal ran out causing her to swerve.

‘Before the crash, Megan navigated a left hand bend so it is unlikely she fell asleep, but it is possible she suffered from a medical issue which caused her to lose awareness of her position on the road.

‘She had consumed alcohol prior to the journey but this was below the legal limit. Megan has been described as a very tiny girl so it may be possible the alcohol had more of an effect on her driving.

‘I have been told she used her mobile in the past while driving. This may be a reason why the radio in the car was found on mute.

‘One tyre, the rear driver’s side, was under deflated and was found to be 12 PSI. We usually expect them to be 30-35 in that sort of vehicle. However, this was not likely to have had an effect on driving in a normal manner, it is unlikely to have contributed to the initial loss of control.

‘There was also no physical evidence to say she was exceeding the speed limit.’

Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: ‘I am going to record that Megan died as a result of an accident. What a tragic accident.

‘We will never know what happened in those seconds before. She clearly was much loved and I would like to express my sympathy to you on your loss.

‘I now formally conclude the inquest.’ 

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