A TEENAGER from Burnhope died after a car being driven by his cousin crashed into a tree.

The inquest into the death of 17-year-old Peter Connor was held at Darlington coroner's court last Thursday.

The inquest heard that the driver, Matthew Connor Jnr, was forced to take evasive action when an animal ran in front of the car on the A69 near Langley Park.

However, he lost control of the vehicle - a VW Sharan belonging to his father - and skidded across the road before crashing into a tree at 1.40am on November 30 last year.

Peter Connor, who lived in Greenwood Avenue, Burnhope, died at the scene from multiple injuries, as a result of the crash.

Matthew's brother, Patrick Connor, was the front seat passenger in the car. He told the court: "I had been playing pool with Peter and Matthew earlier in the day and we had returned home.

"Later that night we went out in my dad's car. We stopped off at a petrol station to buy fuel, pop and sweets before going for a drive.

"We were on the road when I saw something, possibly a dog or a fox, run out, but because of the poor lighting I didn't see it until it was right in front of the car.

"Matthew tried to swerve, but the car just skidded across the road. The next thing I remember was waking up inside an ambulance."

PC Ian Hague, who works with the region's accident investigation unit, attended the crash scene.

He said: "There were a number of tyre marks on the road which were consistent with the driver trying to swerve but then losing control of the vehicle. The road sweeps to the right at this section and there is no lighting.

"Further inquiries also led the police to discover it was not unheard of to see wild animals, even deer, running across the road."

The driver's blood was tested for alcohol, which showed he was not over the limit and there was no evidence to suggest he had been speeding.

Deputy coronor Brenda Davidson recorded a verdict of accidental death.