No 'give-way' signs at scene of fatal horror smash

Natasha Whale was a back seat passenger in a car being driven by her mother when it hit a coach carrying schoolchildren at the junction of Valley Road and Ryle Street in Blakenall, on February 24 last year.

The inquest held at Smethwick Coroners' Court yesterday heard that the youngster died of multiple head injuries.

Natasha, who had lived at St Paul's Crescent, Pelsall, died at the scene.

Her mother Shelley was airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital in a critical condition and had to be induced into a coma due to the severity of her injuries, but has since made a recovery.

Natasha's brother Callum had been a front seat passenger in the Renault Clio and was also taken to hospital, but was released shortly afterwards.

Reading a report into the investigation by Pc Julie Lyman, Black Country Coroner Zafar Siddique said the black Renault, carrying Natasha and her family, had been travelling along Ryle Street towards the junction of Valley Road, but at that time there had been no give way signs.

She said the conditions had been fair but it was damp and cold.

Visibility had been good and clear and there were no defects on either of the vehicles, the inquest heard.

The Adams Tours coach had been carrying six schoolchildren who were unhurt.

Both Natasha's mother and brother were at her inquest yesterday, together with her father Karl, who works for West Midlands Police.

Giving evidence, her father described what had happened as 'absolutely horrific'.

He said her mother had been taking the Walsall Academy pupil to school and would usually use side roads to get there, but on this particular day the road they normally used had been closed by the council.

He said: "The road she travelled down had a horrific cross junction which was unmarked."

He said the route had been unfamiliar to Natasha's mother, who had driven down the street at a normal speed.

He added: "It's a duty of care for the council to make sure if they decide to do something they make another route safe.

"I don't think they made it safe."

He said that the junction had since been changed, with bollards put there, but said: "It's taken them a long, long time to do something."

Following the smash, more than 1,500 signatures were collected on a petition calling for changes at the junction and prompting a debate at a council meeting.

The inquest was also told that the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the case but found it would not be in the public interest to prosecute anyone.

Recording that Natasha's death had been due to a road traffic accident, Mr Siddique said it had been a 'heartfelt tragedy'.

He said: "Sadly Natasha received life threatening injuries and passed away.

"Hopefully she didn't suffer."

Natasha was a keen footballer and played for for Wyrley Pumas, the female section of Wyrley Juniors FC and later Burntwood Phoenix.

Following her death, in a statement her school said: "Natasha was a model student who loved performing arts and sport.

"She was popular with staff and students alike and will be sadly missed."

After reaching Mr Siddique conclusion told her family: "I offer you my heartfelt sympathies and condolences."