A car passenger revealed how she cried "Stop!" and put her hands over her eyes moments before a pedestrian died in an accident.

Marie-Jose Bititi, speaking through an interpreter, told an inquest of the seconds before Southend student John Wheal was struck by the car along London Road, Hadleigh.

Mr Wheal, 19, of Castle Road, Hadleigh, died after suffering fractures to his skull, Southend coroner's court was told.

PC Charles Harris, from Essex Police, told how the car travelled with all four wheels along the pavement for 25 metres before striking Mr Wheal.

Mrs Bititi said: "I saw a young man who wanted to cross the road but hesitated. He went back and then went forward again. I cried out 'Stop!' and put my hands over my eyes. I heard a bump."

Fighting back the tears, driver Jampy Tsasa-Ngoma said: "I was driving up from London when my wife asked me to stop. She cried, 'Stop!' - but I lost control of the car."

However, Mr Wheal had not been drinking and the car driver, Mr Tsasa-Ngoma, showed no traces of alcohol and was driving at the speed limit, the inquest was told.

John's mum, Linda, said: "I hadn't heard him go out and wondered where he was. It was very unusual but I knew he couldn't have got very far because he had left his wallet. Perhaps he wanted some fresh air.

"I reported him as missing and went to Rayleigh police station - where I learned he had died."

John was a "loner" who lacked confidence but dreamed of a music industry career, Linda told the inquest.

Coroner Dr Peter Dean recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Court proceedings against Mr Tsara-Ngoma are pending.

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