TWO distraught families are demanding answers after an inquest into their children's deaths was brought to a swift conclusion.

Brilliant students Katy Linighan and Richard Clemot-Escobar died in a car crash last August - days before they were due to collect their A-level results.

Hartlepool Coroner Malcolm Donnelly said that, because of legal restrictions, he was unable to hold a full inquest.

There was an outcry from both families who claimed senior police officers told them any unanswered questions would be dealt with at yesterday's hearing.

But Mr Donnelly said that because a prosecution was brought against the young female driver, a coroner did not have the authority to call a further, separate investigation.

The students, who attended Hartlepool's English Martyrs College, had been travelling with friends in a Vauxhall when driver Jane Bramley swerved to avoid a rabbit. Both Katy and Richard died instantly.

The car was heading north on the A19, near the Hartlepool interchange, at about midnight when the accident happened.

Miss Bramley, now 19, who lost an eye in the accident, and another friend were taken to hospital.

During yesterday's hearing, in Hartlepool, Richard's mother, Elizabeth, said: "There are still questions from both families left unanswered.

"It is almost a year since the crash and some of our grief is exacerbated because we don't know exactly what happened."

In January, the CPS announced no charges would be brought against Miss Bramley as she had only 1.5 seconds to react.

But the family took legal advice and brought civil proceedings against her. However, last month magistrates cleared Miss Bramley.

Mr Donnelly said: "In accordance with my statutory powers, I cannot investigate this case further. In law, my verdict should not be inconsistent with previous hearings."