The death of an 18-year-old in a car crash was an accident, an inquest has ruled.

Carys Hammond, 18, of Bradfield, was driving when her car struck a bridge on Brickman’s Hill, in between Bradfield and Mistley, at around 7.25pm on April 17.

Miss Hammond suffered multiple injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest into her death took place on Friday at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court.

The court room was full with family of the “vibrant and intelligent” teenager.

Speaking at the inquest, PC Alan Barlow, a forensic collision investigator for Essex Police, said: “There were no defects on the vehicle and the road surface was in a good state of repair on Monday, April 17.

“It was a fine, dry evening and Carys Emma Hammond was driving a Fiat 500 along B1352 towards Bradfield.”

PC Barlow’s report stated when entering the turn, Miss Hammond’s vehicle crossed the centre of the carriageway and its momentum continued to lead the car across the road before it crashed into the railing.

The inquest heard data showed Miss Hammond was travelling at 53mph when she entered the bend. The limit was 60mph.

Two passengers were also in the car at the time.

The report stated there was no significant braking prior to the Fiat entering the bend.

As the Fiat negotiated the bend, some braking and then further braking was applied.

The barrier Miss Hammond’s car hit had been damaged in a previous crash in February, however the inquest heard Essex Highways had not been notified by emergency services of the damage.

PC Barlow said it was “beyond his area of expertise” to decide whether this could have contributed to Miss Hammond’s death.

There were no drink or drugs in Miss Hammond’s system.

Mark Cole, chairman of the Colchester and District Driving Instructor’s Association, told the court he had asked the police and Essex County Council to take action on the stretch of road last year after witnessing several crashes near the bridge.

Essex Highways has made a number of recommendations for the stretch of road and will be resurfacing, fixing the barrier. The speed limit has already been reduced to 40mph.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: “Carys was a young girl with a bright future in front of her and I do express my sympathies for your loss. I hope you will be able to look back on all of the happy memories you have of her.

“Before I conclude, I would appeal to the highways agency and encourage them to take all the steps necessary to bring about the planned improvements to the road.“

Mrs Beasley-Murray formally recorded the verdict of the inquest as road traffic collision.