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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tom Bevan & Adam May

Girl, 17, dies in front of dad as car smashes into wall when she started engine

A 17-year-old died in front of her dad when the locks and handbrake of their car were triggered automatically, sending it flying downhill.

Aaliyah Sedley-Jones, known as Lily, was sat alone waiting in the family vehicle when she decided to start the engine "for an unknown" reason, disengaging the automatic handbrake, an inquest heard.

Desperate efforts to open the doors and stop the Citroen rolling away by her father Benjamin Jones were thwarted as he watched in horror as it locked automatically due to its speed and flipped over, the BBC reports.

An inquest held yesterday heard Lily died in the crash in Spring Hill, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on January 5.

The BBC reported Mr Jones told the hearing that he saw his daughter in the driver's seat and heard her start the engine.

The coroner was told the doors of a Citroen C4 lock when a speed of six miles per hour is reached.

Lily died in the crash in Spring Hill, Weston-super-Mare (Google Streetview)

"I couldn't hold on to it any longer," he told the inquest.

"I have no idea why Lily got into the driver's seat and tried to drive the car."

The rolling vehicle hit a grass verge, a wall and a lamppost before flipping on top of Lily.

Desperate rescue efforts from neighbours, family members and paramedics proved unsuccessful and Lily died at the scene shortly before 9pm.

Police told the inquest Lily had not driven the car before and only held a provisional licence, the BBC reported.

No faults were found on the vehicle and coroner Maria Voisin ruled the death an "accident."

Lily was described by family as 'caring, considerate, loving, funny and beautiful' (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

The medical cause of death was given as cerebral injuries.

Paying tribute at the time of her death, Lily's mother said in a statement: "Lily you were taken just as your life was beginning and you were so excited for everything you had to look forward to.

"You made the most of every single day of your life.

"You were my best friend, a breath of fresh air and you lit up any and every room you walked into.

"You were so scared of losing anyone you loved and the only comfort I have is that at least now you will never have to suffer the pain everyone that knows you is feeling right now.

"You genuinely were too perfect for this cruel world and the time where I can be with you again cannot come soon enough."

She added: "Your four brothers and all of your family and friends will keep your memory alive as long as we all live.

''We will never stop talking about you as you were the most caring, considerate, loving, funny, most beautiful girl and the time we had with you we will cherish forever.

"Taken from us at the worst age of only 17 in a sudden tragic accident that will forever haunt us.

"We were proud of you every moment of every day and we love you more than you could ever imagine my beautiful Lily."

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