A STUDENT died instantly when he was struck by a car as he crossed a motorway on a late-night trip to buy burgers for his friends, an inquest heard.

Andrew Emmerson was hit several times by cars travelling along the busy A1(M) close to a pedestrian footbridge at a service station.

An inquest heard how the 17-year-old had drunk up to ten pints of beer with vodka chasers at a friend's 18th birthday before the incident near Washington Services, Tyne and Wear, at about 2.10am on March 11.

Yesterday's hearing, at Gateshead County Court, was told that Andrew, of Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was staying with seven friends in a motel near the services after celebrating the birthday of a fellow student at New College Durham.

He and another college friend, David Bell, offered to buy their friends food from the other side of the A1.

The two teenagers managed to cross the road safely and bought chips from a 24-hour restaurant. But on returning, Andrew was hit by a car, which sounded its horn and swerved to avoid him.

His friend tried to move him from the carriageway and was almost struck by another car before running off to raise help.

The inquest was told that the victim died instantly, and the fact that other cars struck his body as it lay on the road was not a factor in his death.

South Tyneside coroner Terence Carney, in recording a verdict of accidental death, said the incident was a tragic error of judgement. He said: "The sadness of this case is that no doubt these young people went out that particular night to enjoy each others' company and enjoy a birthday party and there can be no criticism at all for them.