THE driver of a car in which he and a friend died was twice over the legal drink driving limit and had also taken amphetamines.

A bottle containing a white powder identified as "speed" was found in the pocket of dead driver Jason Wilkinson, 24, an inquest heard.

Mr Wilkinson of Fern Avenue, Colne, and long time friend Jonathan Alexander, 25, of Keighley Road, Colne, died when Jason's Ford Fiesta went out of control on bends in Gisburn Road, Bracewell, near Barnoldswick, crossed over the centre line and went into a field where it hit a tree stump and overturned.

Both died from multiple injuries. In the back was Jonathan's girlfriend of four-and-a-half years Louise Jane Martin, 20.

She suffered severe injuries and was air-lifted to Airedale General Hospital, Steeton.

At the inquest in Burnley and still wearing a neck brace, Miss Martin said that at the time she was living at the home of Jonathan and his parents.

On Friday, April 21, she went to visit her mother because Jonathan was out with his friend Jason. He returned at either 4am or 6am.

Later that day they decided to go to the Lake District with friends in two cars. She could not remember even getting into the car.

Pathologist Dr WD Salman said analysis showed alcohol in Jason's body at double the legal drink driving limit. Tests for amphetamines were also weakly positive. PC Peter John Cockell said a plastic pill bottle containing a white powder later identified as amphetamine or speed was found in one of the driver's pockets.

Accident investigator, PC Brendan Kellett said the car and the road were in good order.

Possible causes of the accident were speed, the manner in which the vehicle was being driven through the bends or a combination of both.

Recording verdicts of accidental death East Lancashire Coroner David Smith said it was an horrendous story.

There was evidence that Jason Wilkinson had at least twice the legal driving limit of alcohol and also traces of amphetamines. "It seems quite clear that must have had some effect on the way in which he was driving.

"He was either driving too fast or took the corner in the wrong way or a combination of both."

He added: "He went to the offside of the road and ended up hitting the tree stump. It is a dreadful story on what should have been a happy day out to the Lake District."