A CORONER believes it was "inexperience" that caused a two vehicle crash that led to the death of a teenage motorist.

Dylan Sagar, 18, of Burton Road, Holme, sustained head and chest injuries when his car was involved in an accident with a right-turning taxi on the A65, just before the Crooklands roundabout, on the evening of December 15.

The hearing at Kendal was told that the crash happened as Mr Sagar was attempting to overtake the taxi being driven by Sonia Greenbank, of Bainbridge Road, Sedbergh.

Mr Sagar sustained head and chest injuries and died five days later in the Royal Preston Hospital. A 15-year-old female passenger in the car was critically injured.

The court was told Mr Sagar's car was being followed by a car driven by his friend Adam Gudgeon and Mr Sagar's sister, Alice, was a passenger in that vehicle.

Mr Gudgeon told the inquest that they were travelling from Kendal's Asda store to Holme when they approached a blue Vauxhall Zafira taxi.

Both Miss Sagar, who had been on her phone, and Mr Gudgeon said they could not see "any indication" on the taxi.

But taxi driver Ms Greenbank and paying passenger Daniel Morley told the court the indicators had been used.

Crash scene investigator PC Craig Irving told the inquest that Mr Sagar had passed his driving test 12 months prior to the collision and had been involved in another accident in November which led to him attending a driver improvement course.

The former Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, pupil had an "insurance box" fitted to the car which recorded his driving.

"There was some evidence in relation to Dylan's vehicle because it was fitted with what is like a flight recorder on an aeroplane," said South Cumbria coroner Ian Smith.

Mr Smith added that Mr Sagar's average speed from Asda to the point of impact was 50mph which showed he was driving "pretty quickly at points".

"What I probably think happened is that when Dylan first saw the Zafira it wasn't indicating and he decided to overtake it," said Mr Smith.

"He didn't have the skill to readjust to the fact the indicator went on.

"I think it was inexperience that caused what went on and this occurred."

Mr Sagar played cricket for Sedgwick Cricket Club in the Westmorland County Cricket League and had signed tup to play football for Milnthorpe Corinthians.

His mum, Sally Sagar, told the Gazette: "We're satisfied with what's gone on and would like to thank everyone who has helped out."

Mr Smith concluded that Mr Sagar died as a result of a road vehicle collision.