Three occupants of a car – two of them from Denholme – were killed when the driver lost control at speed, an inquest heard yesterday.

Driver Jonathan Adam Ruthven, 27, of Longhouse Drive, Denholme; soldier Daniel Hague, 32, of Hill Top Road, Thornton, who was in the front seat, and back seat passenger Jade Best, 19, of Clapham Street, Denholme, died in the tragedy.

Assistant Coroner Dr Dominic Bell opened an inquest into the three deaths to allow the funerals to take place.

Coroner’s officer Chris Dalby told the hearing that the trio were travelling in a vehicle in Thornton Road, Thornton, heading towards Bradford, at about 11pm on Monday, September 16, when the crash occurred.

Mr Dalby said the driver had lost control of his vehicle, a black Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which then slid sideways into a hairdressers’ shop, causing severe damage to the vehicle.

Mr Dalby said: “We are not sure exactly what has caused the driver to lose control of his vehicle.”

The coroner’s officer added: “Unfortunately, the driver, his front seat passenger and his rear seat passenger all received fatal injuries.”

He said they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Dalby said they were not aware of any other vehicle being involved or any third party being responsible.

He agreed that comments had been made that the vehicle was travelling “at some considerable speed over and above the statutory limit”.

Mr Dalby said there was an ongoing police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, which was in its early stages.

He said a routine post-mortem examination had taken place and samples had been taken and sent off for a toxicology examination.

Mr Dalby said police had confirmed in writing they were happy for the bodies to be released for funeral purposes.

Assistant Coroner Dr Bell said he would formally adjourn the inquest pending the result of the police investigations.