Teenager was trapped under hen party crash minibus, inquest told

Trainee nurse Bethany Jones died and seven others, including the bride-to-be, remain in hospital after the bus and a lorry collided on the M62 near Pontefract on Friday.

The group was travelling from South Elmsall near Pontefract to Liverpool for a hen night to celebrate the forthcoming wedding of Stefanie Firth, 24, and currently being treated at Leeds General Infirmary.

The inquest opening at Wakefield yesterday morning heard that emergency services arrived just after 11.30am on Friday to the exit slip road to junction 32 on the west bound M62.

Coroner’s officer Anthony Lancaster said the Mercedes 25-seater minibus, which was carrying 21 women, was involved in collision with a HGV.

Mr Lancaster said: “It would appear the HGV has collided with the rear of the minibus on the westbound carriageway, causing it to veer across the carriageway, thus causing it to overturn and come to rest on the exit slip road.”

The inquest was told Bethany, of South Elmsall, was trapped underneath the minibus.

Coroner David Hinchliff said preliminary findings of a post mortem indicated Bethany died of multiple internal injuries.

Mr Hinchliff issued a burial order and interim death certificate before adjourning the inquest pending the outcome of further investigations by the West Yorkshire Police major collision inquiry team.

Mr Hinchliff said: “I’m just thankful there are no further fatalities. It was a dreadful incident.”

West Yorkshire Police said the lorry driver, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, had been bailed.

Bethany’s brother Ryan Jones paid tribute to her earlier this week saying: “She was loved by everyone. Nobody could say a bad word about our Bethany. Just at university this year, her first year, the first child to go to university. She was the most beautiful, caring girl I’ve ever met.”