The Telford & Wrekin coroner today urged motorists to obey the Highway Code and give cyclists and motorcyclists plenty of room when they overtake.

Michael Gwynne was commenting at the end of the inquest on 17-year-old student Emma Paton, of Woodside, who died four weeks after her moped was in collision with an overtaking car.

Several witnesses and family members were in tears when they heard evidence of how Emma suffered fatal brain injuries when her head became wedged under a car.

Miss Paton fell into a fatal coma after her moped was in collision with the side of the overtaking car.

She died four weeks later at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital following the accident in Springhill Road, Dawley, on November 24 last year.

Mr Gwynne said that although he had heard nothing to warrant criminal charges against the car driver, the case highlighted the need for motorists to follow the Highway Code.

“This says motorists must give as much room as possible when they overtake motorcyclists, especially learners,” he said.

He recorded a verdict that Miss Paton, of Wealdstone, Woodside, Telford, died on December 22 from broncho pneumonia and brain injuries received in a road accident.

Learner rider Miss Paton had been going to Telford College of Arts and Technology on her 49cc Honda Vision during a wet and miserable afternoon.

She had just come off a roundabout when a Vauxhall Zafira, driven by Joanne Cowell, of Sandbrook, Ketley, overtook.

The moped scraped along the nearside of the Vauxhall and Miss Paton then slid across the road and under an oncoming Citroen.

The coroner said the Citroen driver – Nigel Trew, of Majestic Way, Aqueduct – could have done nothing to avoid her.

Mrs Cowell said the moped had been travelling at 10-15mph and she had straddled the central white broken line to overtake it, giving it at least three-and-a-half feet of room.

“I think it was a safe manoeuvre,” she said. “The moped was going very slowly, I was going 30-35mph and nothing was coming towards me.

“As I pulled alongside, the moped drove into the side of my car. It veered towards me.”

Accident investigator Christopher Taylor, who examined the scene and vehicles, said the Vauxhall had overtaken on the narrowest section of that stretch of road.

“My personal opinion is it would have been a better decision to slow down and wait,” he said.

Mr Taylor told the hearing that the Highway Code made it clear cycles and motorcycles might have to move out to avoid obstructions and motorists were advised to give them plenty of room.

By Peter Johnson