Inquest hears teenager died after car hit tree at 76mph in 30mph zone

An inquest heard that 17-year-old Lucy Knapp died when her car left the road and hit a tree near Headcorn, Kent. An investigator said a video appeared to show her with a balloon shortly before the crash and concluded she may have inhaled nitrous oxide, which could have affected her driving; the evidence presented did not establish this as fact.

The Seat Ibiza was travelling at about 76mph in a 30mph zone when it struck the tree, and investigators found no mechanical defects or evidence of another vehicle being involved. Knapp’s two unbelted passengers were seriously injured but later discharged from hospital. Toxicology tests found no drugs or alcohol in her system, while her father said there was no factual evidence that drug use caused the crash; the supplied article ends before the coroner’s conclusion.