A TRAINEE jockey probably died as a result of his car aquaplaning on standing water, an inquest heard.

Neil Anthony Hill, 18, from Langley Park, County Durham, was killed when his car slid into the path of another vehicle on the A6108 between Leyburn and Catterick, North Yorkshire, on August 19 last year.

Investigating officer PC Michael Natt told the hearing that Mr Hill's Volkswagen Golf had probably been travelling within the 60mph speed limit, but above the advisory limit of 40mph, for the winding stretch near the Bellerby turning, where the crash happened.

Police said the car could have been doing between 55mph and 60mph, which may have caused aquaplaning following heavy rain.

The inquest, at Richmond Magistrates' Court yesterday, heard that Mr Hill's car slid sideways into the path of a Toyota Celica, driven by Philip Wilkinson, just before 5pm.

Mr Wilkinson said: "As we climbed on to the brow of the road we were met by a car that was sliding straight at us."

Mr Wilkinson's passenger, Kellette Pearce, suffered a cracked breastbone, whiplash and abdominal bruising.

A post-mortem examination showed that Mr Hill died from head injuries. North Yorkshire deputy coroner Geoff Fell recorded a verdict of accidental death.