Newly-qualified driver, 18, was killed with two teenage friends he picked up from a house party after he lost control of his car on a bridge and crashed into a tree, inquest hears

The only survivor of a crash that killed three teenagers has told an inquest she begged the driver to slow down as he hit 85mph in the moments before the accident.

The only survivor of a crash that killed three teenagers has told an inquest she begged the driver to slow down as he hit 85mph in the moments before the accident.

Brooke Varley said she felt scared as driver Dafydd Huw Craven-Jones, 18, approached the humpback bridge in Penkridge, Staffordshire, where he crashed on May 25 last year.

The then 17-year-old got in the car alongside her friend Sophie Bates, 17, and agricultural student Morgan Jones, 17, when Dafydd picked them up from a nearby house party.

Dafydd, who had passed his test just six months earlier, had taken a video of himself on the way there confessing he may have been caught speeding at 90mph on a 70mph road.

And Brook said she had described a rollercoaster feeling in my tummy before Ford Ka hit a grass verge, swerved across the B5012 Cannock Road, and smashed into a tree.

Dafydd and Morgan, his front seat passenger, were declared dead at the scene, while Sophie died three days later in hospital.

Brooke, from Newport in Shropshire, was found severely injured and unconscious at the scene, while a tracking app on her phone suggested the car may have reached 85mph in the moments before the crash.

The inquest at Stoke Town Hall heard that the speed had not been verified but assistant coroner Kelly Dixon acknowledged that Dafydd had been driving at speed on the 60mph road before reaching the bridge.

Driver Dafydd Craven-Jones, 18, died at the scene of the horror crash near Penkridge, Staffordshire

Driver Dafydd Craven-Jones, 18, died at the scene of the horror crash near Penkridge, Staffordshire

In a tribute released through Staffordshire Police, Dafydds family said he was loved by everyone and the baby of the family

In a tribute released through Staffordshire Police, Dafydds family said he was loved by everyone and the baby of the family

And she noted that neither of the back seat passengers were wearing seatbelts, while Morgan in the front passenger seat was sitting on part of his.

Dafydd suffered a loss of control, mounting the nearside verge before travelling to the opposite side of the road, colliding with an established tree, she said as she recorded their deaths.

The drivers side seat had been struck from behind by a rear seat passenger who wasnt wearing a seatbelt.

At least one rear passenger was thrown forward into the drivers seat. That impact is likely to have contributed to the extent of Dafydds injuries.

Brooke told the inquest heard she regrets not wearing her seatbelt, explaining that she could not find it in the dark.

Dafydd had travelled from his home in Tanyfron, North Wales, to pick up Morgan from the party after hearing that his friend from nearby Coedpoeth was unwell.

Brook and Sophie also got in and videos taken by Sophie appeared to show her sitting in the middle seat in the back of the car.

In a statement read out at the inquest, Dafydds mother Paula Craven-Jones said she had been in the car with her son on a number of occasions since he passed his test and had no concerns about his driving ability.

His car had been correctly insured and had a full MOT, and there were no defects with the vehicle that contributed to the crash, Sergeant Richard Moors from Staffordshire Police confirmed.

Sophie Bates, 17, was sitting in the back seat where she suffered traumatic head injuries before dying three days later in hospital

Sophie Bates, 17, was sitting in the back seat where she suffered traumatic head injuries before dying three days later in hospital

Sophie, pictured with her father, was described as full of fun and beyond witty

Sophie, pictured with her father, was described as full of fun and beyond witty

Dafydd had no drink or drugs in his system and there is no evidence he was using his phone at the time of the collision, he added.

In a tribute to her friends, Brooke said she was so upset to have lost such amazing people from my life.

Sophie was the kindest person who lived her life to the fullest, she added.

She is my inspiration to get better and do everything she didnt get a chance to do. She will forever be in my heart.

Morgan was one of the funniest people I know. He was always respectful, kind and sweet. He always looked out for me. 

Daf had a kind soul and loved his friends. Im thinking of their families at this sad time and everyone who is affected by this tragic incident.

In a moving tribute, Sophies family said: Our Princess Sophie, the best big sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend to many, was so strong on the outside but truly so kind hearted and thoughtful inside. Full of fun and beyond witty.

We were so proud of the young adult Sophie was becoming, with the life plans she was putting in place. 

Excelling in college and her work placement, full of drive and ambition to have her own business. Sophie loved her friends and was enjoying embracing her teenage life and having the best time.

Our darling girl Sophie, will be sorely missed and loved eternally.

Forever in our hearts, 17 always.

The inquest heard there have been three serious crashes on the same road since 2017, with another fatal crash occurring in January 2024.

Morgan Jones, 17, from Coedpoeth near Wrexham was a student at an agricultural college and died in the front seat of the car from a severe head injury

Morgan Jones, 17, from Coedpoeth near Wrexham was a student at an agricultural college and died in the front seat of the car from a severe head injury 

Dafydd from Tanyfron near Wrexham; Morgan from Coedpoeth near Wrexham;  Sophie of Stafford; and Brooke of Newport in Shropshire were in the Ford Ka in the crash on Cannock Road, near Penkridge in Staffordshire, at the time of the crash

Dafydd from Tanyfron near Wrexham; Morgan from Coedpoeth near Wrexham;  Sophie of Stafford; and Brooke of Newport in Shropshire were in the Ford Ka in the crash on Cannock Road, near Penkridge in Staffordshire, at the time of the crash

Staffordshire County Highways said there were no issues with speed or the road conditions, but that it would make changes to enhance the road markings and the signage.

Ms Dixon demanded to know why the changes had not already been made, as she recorded the deaths as being the result of a road traffic collision.

The concern here is that I am aware that hazard reports have been submitted to Staffordshire County Highways in regards to this collision and another earlier fatal collision in January 2024.

Consideration is being given to enhance signage and the road markings but no action has yet been taken.

I will be issuing a prevention of future deaths report to Staffordshire County Highways in respect of my concerns.