A STUDENT who died after a rollercoaster accident at one of the region's most popular theme parks had suffered severe head and neck injuries, an inquest heard yesterday.

Gemma Savage, 20, died in hospital last Thursday, a day after she was involved in a collision between two cars on the Treetop Twister ride at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The Durham University student had been enjoying a day out to celebrate the end of her second year, North Yorkshire deputy coroner Susan Fox said at the inquest in Harrogate.

Gemma was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary where she was put on a life support machine, but died without regaining consciousness.

The ride has remained closed since the accident.

Miss Fox adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed while a joint investigation between police and the Health and Safety Executive is carried out.

A maintenance worker at the park, who is in his forties and from the Harrogate area, was arrested by police on Sunday in connection with the incident. He was not charged with any offence and was released on police bail until July 11.

Gemma's parents, Stuart and Linda Savage, from Wath-on-Dearne, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, did not attend the four-minute hearing.