A COUPLE died instantly in a head-on car crash involving four vehicles, an inquest heard yesterday.

William and Dorothy Ingledew, of Carey Close, Middlesbrough, were killed in the collision on the A67, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The inquest, at Chester-le Street Magistrates' Court, was told that Mr Ingledew, 55, was trying to overtake a lorry in his Citroen AX when the crash happened at about 5.45pm on April 14.

Bryan Olding and Constance Craven, both in their 70s, of Lynton Gardens, Darlington, were travelling in a Volvo 740 in the other direction.

Mr Olding said: "I remember seeing the lorry coming towards me, then a white car came out from behind it.

"There was a horrendous bang and the car disappeared. I am sure it bounced off the truck. It disappeared again, then it hit the BMW behind."

The lorry was driven by William Cowie, from Leeds, and the BMW was driven by Peter Fawcett.

After the accident, Mr Fawcett told police: "The Citroen was completely sideways. I knew we were going to have an accident. I could do nothing to avoid it."

Police estimate the lorry was doing 56mph at the time of the collision, although it should have been under 40mph - the legal limit for a heavy goods vehicle on a single carriageway where the national speed limit applies.

Mr and Mrs Ingledew were pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Ingledew died from multiple chest injuries, while Mrs Ingledew, 72, suffered head injuries.

Mr Olding and Ms Craven, and the occupants of the BMW were treated for whiplash, but Mr Cowie was uninjured.

Deputy Coroner of North Durham Brenda Davidson recorded a verdict of accidental death.

She said: "It is a tragic accident that led to the death of both of them. It appears that both deaths have been instantaneous."

After the hearing, the couple's daughter, Diane Bradley, 34, of Mansfield Road, Middlesbrough, paid tribute to her parents.

She said: "They were a really funny couple and always got on well. They were well known in the area and everyone is struggling to come to terms with what happened.

"We are numb and cannot accept it. You think you might lose one parent, but not both at the same time. The only comfort is they went together, so the other did not suffer. I will always remember them.