Coroner 'appalled' death crash witness did not come forward

Philip Madden, 19, and his best friend Shane Vickers, 22, died when the car they were in hit a tree on the A495 Ellesmere to Whitchurch road.

CCTV images showed a mystery car following the Vauxhall Corsa the two men were in during the seconds before the crash, but the driver has never been traced.

John Gittins, coroner for North East and Central Wales, said: "As a coroner and as a father I am utterly appalled that no one has come forward to police to give an explanation to what happened. That they do not have the courage to explain to the families what happened is beyond me."

Mr Madden, of Northwood, near Wem and Mr Vickers, from Cambrian View, Bettisfield, both died following the crash which happened on the A495, near Bronington, on October 30, 2014.

At yesterday's inquest Mr Gittins played CCTV footage from a house 700 metres away showing what he said was almost definitely Mr Madden's car followed by another small car. The occupant or occupants of that car would have seen the crash, he said.

The inquest, in Ruthin, heard evidence from driver Andrew Frost who came across the crash. He flagged down a car coming towards him and he and that driver, Ralph Reynolds, ran to the car.

Mr Frost told how he could not get the driver's door open so, despite the fire which was licking at the dashboard, he climbed in through the other side.

"Mr Reynolds managed to open the driver's door and he pulled and I pushed and we got the driver out," he said. "It was only then I realised there was another person on the passenger side."

More help arrived and they got the passenger out.

Soon after the car was engulfed in flames, he said.

Mr Gittins thanked Mr Frost for his "tremendous courage".

He recorded a verdict of death as a result of a road traffic collision.