Three young parents died in a horrific road crash after their vehicle careered into a roundabout at 85mph, an inquest heard today.
Alex Ford, 28, Scott Simpson, 28, and Jay McEvoy, 33, were travelling together when Mr Simpson, who was driving, lost control of the BMW hire car on East Prescot Road in Knotty Ash, at the junction with Blackmoor Drive.
Miss Ford and Mr Simpson had gone to the Deysbrook pub in West Derby on April 25 and met friends where they had drinks together, Liverpool Coroner’s Court was told.
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Jacqueline Gallagher, coroner’s officer, said Miss Ford, Mr Simpson, and Mr McEvoy left at 11.30pm and got into the hire vehicle, the Liverpool Echo reports
CCTV showed that plasterer Mr Simpson was the driver, online retail assistant Miss Ford the front seat passenger and business owner Mr McEvoy the rear seat passenger.
The court heard the car was seen travelling down East Prescot Road “at excessive speed” before it collided with a brick wall structure at the roundabout and with a lamppost.
The force of the crash caused the car to “stand up and rotate” before falling back down onto the carriageway, Ms Gallagher said, and Mr McEvoy was ejected from the BMW.
Smoke started to pour from the bonnet and a fire quickly developed before passing members of the public and police officers arrived at the scene.
Scott Simpson, 28, with his son Thomas, aged three.
(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Mr McEvoy, from West Derby, was moved to a safe area away from the car and CPR started before officers then rescued Mr Simpson and Miss Ford from the burning BMW.
All three people were rushed to different hospitals but died later.
Mr Simpson’s cause of death was recorded as head injuries, Miss Ford’s as a head injury and Mr McEvoy as head and chest injuries.
Toxicology tests showed driver Mr Simpson, from West Derby, was twice over the drink drive limit and had cannabis in his system, while Miss Ford, from Old Swan, had cannabis in her body and Mr McEvoy cannabis and cocaine.
Sergeant Amy Murray, who was the senior investigating officer for Merseyside Police, told the inquest the BMW was travelling at 85mph at the point of collision on the 40mph road.
She agreed with statements put to her by coroner Andre Rebello who said: “Fortunately, nobody outside the vehicle was harmed, the driver appeared to be travelling at excessive speed and drove straight into the roundabout.
“All three of them were probably unconscious on impact and knew nothing of the injuries sustained.”
Mr Rebello recorded conclusions of road traffic collision for all three.
Floral tributes at the scene of the fatal crash laid on April 26
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
He told members of the family in the Kirkdale courtroom: “There will be future generations who will need to remember them as people.
“You had loving relationships to celebrate and remember.”
All three who died had young children and in the weeks following the tragedy, relatives released heartfelt tributes about their loved ones.
The family of Mr McEvoy said: “James lived his life a happy man.
“He always walked with a smile on his face and would actively encourage the smiles of others.
“James holds a very special place in our hearts and will do for eternity.
“He is a dad, a son, a brother, a grandson, an uncle, a cousin and a nephew, but most importantly an everlasting friend.”
Manchester’s courts are some of the busiest in the country with a vast array of cases heard every week.
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Dedicated mum-of-two Alex was described as a “free spirit” and a “proud mum who adored her kids.”
One friend said: “Anyone who come into contact with her she always left a good impression on them – she was a loving person.”
Relatives of Scott Simpson said: “Scott was an absolute amazing son, brother, father, cousin, uncle, nephew and the best friend to all.
“Scott was the most kindest, loving person with a heart of gold and nothing was too much if anyone needed his help
“He adored his family and was a ray of sunshine in all our lives.
“Always the life and soul of a party, throwing a few shapes out on the dance floor, as he’d say.
“Scott was a fabulous dad to his beautiful little boy Thomas, who he doted on.”
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