AN inquest opened yesterday into the death of a teenage motorist killed in a road accident earlier this week.

David McKenzie was pronounced dead at the scene after his car left the A690 dual carriageway and struck a railway bridge parapet, near the Ramside Hall Hotel, at Carrville, near Durham.

The red Seat Ibiza mounted the central grass reservation before hitting the bridge support and landing back in the westbound carriageway, in which it had been heading.

No other vehicle was involved in the accident, in the early hours on Monday.

Mr McKenzie, a student, of The Chains, Gilesgate, Durham, was identified by his fingerprints by a police scenes of crime officer.

The inquest was told Dryburn Hospital pathologist, Dr Keith Barrett, has completed the post-mortem inquiry and so North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle was able to release the body to allow funeral arrangements to be made.

Mr Tweddle adjourned the hearing, at County Hall, Durham, to a later date pending further inquiries by police into the circumstances of the accident.

Durham Police traffic unit investigators have appealed for information from witnesses to the accident, at about 5.30am, to contact 0191-386 4929.