HEDGES on the Runcorn busway may have played a part in the death of a teenager when the car he was travelling in as a front seat passenger was "destroyed" after being struck side on by a bus.

Darren Pearson, aged 18, of Exmouth Crescent, Murdishaw, died from head injuries following the accident at the junction of Palacefields Avenue with the Runcorn Bus Way last September.

Conflicting evidence failed to establish if either vehicle had travelled through a red light.

Coroner John Hibbert said: "Hedges at the junction clearly blocked the sightlines of the car driver and the bus driver.

"If the hedges had not been there it would have given the drivers and opportunity to see each other entering the junction."

Mr Hibbert said he would be contacting the highway authority asking them to consider removing the hedges.

He also said he believed car driver Luke Stevens, aged 18, of Falmouth Place, Murdishaw, Runcorn, had entered the junction unaware the lights had changed against him.

Mr Stevens was driving a car belonging to Darren Holloran, who was a rear seat passenger at the time of the accident.

In a statement to police Mr Stevens, who admitted driving Mr Holloran's car while not qualified and without insurance, said the traffic lights had been "definitely green" when he entered the junction.

But eye witnesses told the inquest the lights had changed to amber as they were approaching the junction.

Bus driver Paul Holian, from Widnes, employed by Halton Borough Transport for two years, said his lights were on green as he went through the junction.

"I was travelling at about 20-25mph and had my foot on the brake.

"My vision was totally restricted by high hedges on either side.

"This blue Escort appeared from my right hand side and I immediately braked."

The force of the impact "totally destroyed" the car which was forced into a traffic light and sign post.

Mr Pearson later died from his head injuries in Macclesfield Hospital.

Senior accident investigation officer Sgt John Hayes said sensory systems on the traffic lights were out of order and the lights were operating on a fixed time sequence, which was functioning properly.

Built in safety requirements ensured there was no chance of either set of lights showing the same colour.

The 1.9m hedges at the junction blocked out vision at the crossroads.

He added the car's sun visors were in a "down position", which tests revealed also blocked the view of the traffic signals from a distance of 30 metres from the junction.

Mr Hibbert added: "It is not for a coroner to apportion any blame.

"There are varying eye witness accounts which give conflicting evidence.

"But three witnesses said the lights on Palacefields Avenue were changing to amber as they approached and I am not too happy with the statement from the bus driver.

"It is not my job to blame anyone and I am satisfied to return an accidental verdict."

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