Death of teenager after crash near Horsham sparks concerns

William Radford, 17, was driving on the A281 Brighton Road at Monks Gate, near Horsham, when his car crashed on June 10.[1] The teenager, also known as Will, was airlifted to St George's Hospital in London in a critical condition. He died from his injuries on June 13.

An inquest into his death heard that Will, from Broadbridge Heath, had been driving his Nissan Micra south along the A281 Brighton Road accompanied by a friend, also aged 17. Coroner Penelope Schofield said: "As he approached a right hand bend, Will lost control of his vehicle before it rotated, traversing across the carriageway. "The vehicle briefly regained traction before being struck on its offside by an oncoming vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.

"Sadly, as a result of the impact of the collision Will was ejected from the vehicle and he suffered fatal injuries." Ms Schofield has sent a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to the Department of Transport, highlighting concerns over the distractions young passengers pose to drivers who have just passed their driving test. Ms Schofield said: "This inquest concerned the death of a young man (aged 17) who had only just passed his driving test a few weeks before his death.

"At the time of his death he was driving his car accompanied by a young friend, also aged 17. "I heard evidence that where an inexperienced driver has a distraction of another young person in the car this can increase their risk of having an accident. "There is currently ongoing public concern that inexperienced drivers are able to carry young passengers within the first six months of having passed their test.

In October last year, AA called for new drivers aged under 21 to be banned from carrying passengers of a similar age for six months after passing their test. At the time of his death, Will's family paid tribute to the "brilliant student, adoring boyfriend and protective brother" who they will miss every single day. "Will is the beating heart of our whole family," the statement said.

"His passion for life, his confidence, charisma, courtesy and considerate nature was admired by anyone he met. "He was a brilliant student. A dedicated friend.

An adoring boyfriend. A protective brother. A loving son and grandson.

A cheeky chappie with a kind heart.

"We will miss everything about him, every single day."

References

1. ^ driving on the A281 Brighton Road at Monks Gate, near Horsham, when his car crashed on June 10. (www.theargus.co.uk)
2. ^ Deaf TikTok star overdosed on medication months before suicide, inquest told (www.theargus.co.uk)