Inquests formally opened into deaths of two people who died in Telford A442 crash

Twelve year-old Neve Cotgrave Hewitt had been in the rear of a car driven by neighbour Scott Dennis Matthews, aged 36, who also died when a Peugeot ended up on its roof at the A442 Queensway after it left and then rejoined the carriageway on September 5, 2023.

It was two days before what would have been Shrewsbury-born Miss Cotgrave Hewitt's 13th birthday, and the date was marked with a balloon launch by family and friends of the girl who attended Burton Borough School. Both Miss Cotgrave Hewitt and builder Mr Matthews lived in Hallcroft Gardens, Newport, but at different addresses.

John Ellery, senior coroner for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, was told that two other people in the car just after 2.05am managed to get out. They had confirmed to police the identities of the passenger and driver who died at the scene near Wombridge Interchange.

Mr Ellery was told that police inquiries are continuing into the crash, which happened on the A442 northbound towards Trench.

Mr Ellery, sitting at the Coroners Court, at Shirehall in Shrewsbury, on Tuesday, adjourned the full inquest to take place on January 16, 2024.

Following the crash West Mercia Police said two teenage boys were taken to hospital. The condition of those passengers in the car was not mentioned at the coroner's court.

West Midlands Ambulance Service recorded that it was called at 2.13am to a single car that had been involved in a collision at the junction of the B4373 and A442 in Trench and sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers, and a trauma doctor and critical care paramedic to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Upon arrival we found a man and a teenage girl who were the driver of and a passenger in the car.

“Unfortunately, nothing could be done to save them and they were confirmed deceased at the scene.

“Two teenage boys who were passengers in the car were assessed by ambulance staff.