A VERDICT of accidental death has been recorded during an inquest into an accident just outside Alton on the night of Friday, November 22, last year, which claimed the life of a young driver.

North Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley said that Samantha Butcher, 17, died instantly when her car slid off a bend and slammed into a stone wall and a tree on the A339 Alton to Basingstoke Road.

The teenager had lost control of her black Peugeot 205 on the wet road at night, less than a mile from her home at Warren Farm on the A339 near Shalden.

Samantha died at the scene, according to Mr Bradley who took the opportunity to question the safety and speed limits on the A339.

The inquest in Alton heard that Samantha and her boyfriend Daniel Pinder had driven into Alton at 10 pm to buy some snacks before driving back towards her home on the Basingstoke Road.

Tests had shown that Samantha was driving at around 60mph on the national speed limit for the road which was wet after hours of rain.

The inquest was told that, as she entered a right-hand bend near Beech, she lost control of the car and as she exited it, the vehicle veered left off the road.

It then spun around into the road, where it collided side-on with a Ford Focus driven by motorist Susan Gilliam.

Tests showed that the second accident did not play a role in SamanthaÕs injuries which were caused by the initial impact with the wall and tree.

Witness Will Barrett had been quickly on the scene and had tried to administer first aid to Samantha, but in vain.

He told the court: ÒI saw her car come around the corner and it seemed she understeered and lost traction before skidding into the hedge.

ÒIt was as if the driver did not see the bend and then you could see the car come to a sudden halt as if it had hit something.Ó

Pc Anthony Johnson of the collision investigation unit said: ÒThe cause of the collision was a loss of control of the Peugeot as it left the bend.

ÒI cannot ascertain why the wheel went onto the verge, it could be for a number of reasons including a momentary loss of concentration by the driver.Ó

In recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner asked: ÒWhat is it about this road?

ÒThe more it is upgraded the more we seem to have these problems on it.

ÒI have to question if these upgrades are leading people to drive fast only to be faced with bends they cannot negotiate.

ÒThere was very little traffic on the road that night, Samantha had her lights on and everything was the same as they had always enjoyed.

ÒThere was nothing directly on the road surface that seems to have contributed to this but the car went out of control and collided with the wall.

ÒThe only comfort I can give the family is that Samantha Butcher died instantly and did not suffer.Ó