THE driver of a car involved in an accident in which two teenagers died will not face prosecution, it was announced yesterday.

Students Katy Linighan and Richard Clemot-Escobar, both 18, died when the Vauxhall Astra they were travelling in overturned on the A19 and hit trees, last August.

Yesterday, Martin Goldman, chief crown prosecutor for Cleveland, said that there was not enough evidence to prosecute the female driver over the accident.

Last night, police said that their parents, Alf and Elizabeth Clemot-Escobar, of Stockton Road, Hartlepool, and Mark and Carol Linighan, from the Clavering area of Hartlepool, were devastated by the decision. The pair died on the northbound carriageway of the A19, near the Hartlepool and Wynyard interchange. They were travelling with two female friends, also aged 18, who both suffered serious injuries.

All four attended English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College, in Hartlepool.

Mr Goldman said the driver of the car, who has not been named, swerved to avoid some rabbits and then skidded.

"The driver just did not have enough reaction time. There was no suggestion that she had been driving in an inappropriate way or had been drinking.

"There was just no time to think and we can't expect drivers to be superhuman.

"We have arranged a face-to-face meeting with the families to explain our decision and so they can hold us to account.

"We know there's nothing we can say that will bring these two young people back or make their families feel better about our decision, but we can assure them that we looked at this very thoroughly and carefully. This was a terrible, terrible tragedy."

Mr Clemot-Escobar, a grade A student, described by teachers as Oxbridge potential, had secured a place at Newcastle University to study English literature.

Ms Linighan, also described as very talented had studied art, textiles and photography. She was about to start a career in fashion-buying.

The inquest into their deaths is expected to be heard in the coming weeks.