Popular teenager died when her car span out of control

Faith Carroll lost control of her Ford Ka as she went round a bend and the 17-year-old collided with a black Saab coming from the opposite direction.

The 17-year-old’s car was thrown through the air before coming to rest in a ditch, Chelmsford Coroners’ Court was told yesterday.

She was rushed to Chelmsford’s Broomfield Hospital but died from her injuries the following day after the accident in August 2008.

Faith, who lived in Latchingdon, near Maldon, had been looking forwards to starting college and wanted to pursue a career with the police.

Amy Goldsmith, Faith’s mum, said after the inquest: “I love and miss Faith everyday, as do all her family and friends.

“No words can express the pain of losing her. She was a beautiful young lady who achieved so much in her life.”

Witness Tim Clarke, was following Faith in his white Ford Escort when the accident happened in Steeple Road, Latchingdon.

He said he thought the Faith’s Ka was “travelling a bit too quick for the bend and the conditions” and he braked and pulled back.

After losing sight of the Ka, Mr Clarke came round the corner to find there had been a collision and he got out and called emergency services.

The Saab’s driver – Robert Strange – was driving to Maldon when the accident happened at about 7pm.

He told the inquest he was faced with the Ka “coming directly” towards him and braked as he saw it but could not avoid it.

Sergeant Richard Raker, of Essex Police’s traffic investigation unit, said witnesses had described the Ka travelling quickly as it left Latchingdon, although there was no physical evidence of that.

He said once the car started to spin, it would have been unlikely for Faith to be able to get it back under control at which point it collided with the Saab, causing a “very, very violent, change of direction”, making it spin the other way.

Deputy Essex Coroner Chinyere Inyama recorded a verdict of accidental death.