THE devastated parents of a North-East footballer who died in a car crash say they have been left with many unanswered questions.

Hartlepool United midfielder Michael Maidens, of Skelton, east Cleveland, died when the car he was travelling in on the A174, near Lazenby, collided with a lampost at around 8.25pm on October 19, 2007.

But after an inquest at Teesside Coroner's Court today failed to establish the exact cause of the crash, his parents Douglas and Heather Maidens said they will never fully understand what happened.

Mrs Maidens said: "I take comfort that he died instantly so he didn't suffer but at the end of the day we have received no real answers as to why and how the accident happened."

Pathologist Dr Mark Egan said Michael died of multiple injuries.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded a verdict of accidental death.