A TRIP to the cinema by five friends ended in tragedy when their car crashed on the way home, an inquest heard.

They were returning to Burnley after watching Batman Forever at Bury when their car went out of control, spun round in Burnley Road, Clowbridge, and smashed into a wall and concrete lamp post.

Back seat passenger David Farnell, an 18-year-old Burnley College student, of Grassington Drive, Burnley, suffered multiple injuries and was trapped for half an hour. He died in hospital some weeks later.

Stuart Reid, of Lower Mead Drive, Burnley, told an inquest he was sitting behind the driver on the midnight journey back home.

They were travelling at about 40-50mph when he suddenly felt the car going sideways.

He said: "It spun round and there was a big jolt when the wheels hit the kerb.

"The back of the car hit a wall. I blacked out and when I came round I climbed out of the car through a window.''

Iris Bhalla, of Reynolds Street, Burnley, said she was driving towards Burnley at 35-38mph when a car came right up behind her.

She told police she thought to herself "What an idiot'' as the car overtook her and then had to slow behind a car turning right before passing that car on the inside. A short time later, she came across the same car at right angles across the road. She used her mobile phone to call the emergency services.

PC Ian Fenney said no other car was involved, and the Puegeot 309 was in good condition with no defects.

The driver, Stephen Holgate, then 18, of Brunswick Street, Nelson, told him it was his mother's car and he drove it regularly. Two new tyres had been fitted the same day.

He knew the road well and was travelling at no more than 45-50mph and slowing down when "the back end came from the passenger side and the steering wheel was pulled out of my hands''.

Accident investigator PC Stephen Wilson said calculations indicated the car was travelling at 46-52mph in a 40mph area. He thought the driver may have misjudged the bend, possibly applying the steering too late and causing a skid.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith, recording a verdict of accidental death, said the accident was probably caused by a combination of factors including perhaps inattention to driving techniques.

He confirmed that Mr Holgate was facing a driving without due care and attention charge.

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