Mystery crash left girl orphaned

The inquest was held at Milford Haven Town Hall

A 12-year-old has recalled her father shouting "look out, look out, look out" to her mother just before a car crash that left her an orphan.

Sarah Bennett was returning home from a holiday in Blackpool with her parents Sandra and Dennis when the accident happened on the A477 between Kilgetty and Broadmoor in Pembrokeshire on 26 April.

Mr Bennett had done the majority of the driving but his wife got behind the wheel at Cross Hands to complete the journey to their home in Hundleton near Pembroke.

Mrs Bennett had a provisional licence and was learning to drive as her husband had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and knew the illness would prevent him from driving in the future.

It was inevitable that a violent collision took place Coroner Michael Howells

An inquest in Milford Haven on Thursday heard Mrs Bennett pulled out and overtook a lorry driven by Ian Western on the A477.

She successfully returned into the correct lane but moments later lost control of the vehicle for no apparent reason.

Mr Weston told the court: "The car started fishtailing and by this stage was out of control."

It collided at a right angle with a Volvo being driven in the opposite direction.

The couple died as a result of multiple injuries, and Ms Walters and two people in the other car were also injured.

Treacherous

Sarah was rushed to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Family friend Mary McNaughton told the court she was at the little girl's bedside when she woke.

"She told me what had happened," said Mrs McNaughton.

Sarah told her she was in the back seat of the car and thought they were going to mount a grass verge.

Mr Bennett said to his wife: "What are you doing Sandra? Look out, look out, look out."

Coroner Michael Howells heard at the time of the crash the weather conditions were poor and the road was wet.

Recording verdicts of accidental death, he said it was possible Mrs Bennett had been unable to cope with the weather.

"The road conditions were obviously a little bit treacherous.

"After she had regained her correct side of the road something caused her to lose control of the car.

"The car started travelling forward sideways.

"It was inevitable that a violent collision took place."

Sarah is now being looked after by her grandparents who were at the inquest.