Claire Mackinnon, who died in a car accident on Sheppey Way, Bobbing

by Emma Grove

A mum was killed in a head-on collision with a car being driven "recklessly" by a teenager with no licence showing off to his friends, an inquest has heard.

Claire Mackinnon, of High Street, Queenborough, died at the scene of the accident along the Sheppey Way in Bobbing just before 5pm on March 30 last year.

The 28-year-old’s blue Ford Escort was hit by a red Ford Sierra being driven by 18-year-old Kish Hulm - who also died days after the crash - outside the turning to McDonald’s.

He was coming from the Key Street roundabout and had pulled out to overtake at least one car and a lorry at speed and was travelling on the wrong side of the road when he lost control and collided with Miss Mackinnon’s car.

The Sierra span down the road, also hit a green Ford Focus being driven by Brian Drury which was behind Miss Mackinnon, and ended up on its roof.

An inquest into their deaths held at the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone yesterday, heard evidence from a number of witnesses as well as two of the three passengers who were in the car with Mr Hulm, of Springfield Road, Sittingbourne.

One of them, Mr Hulm’s friend Ryan Godden, said: "I think he got the car maybe the day before.

The red Ford Sierra, driven by Kish Hulm, that collided with a blue Ford Escort being driven by Claire Mackinnon

"I don’t know why he tried to move out – he was showing off, being stupid, trying to overtake a lorry.

"I think he was experienced at driving in a field but he hadn’t driven on the road much."

Another passenger, Callum Varrier, said he was not aware Mr Hulm had taken any alcohol or drugs that day.

Gary Thelwell, who was driving the lorry Mr Hulm overtook, also spoke.

He recalled how he had checked his mirror and suddenly saw the Sierra come up behind on the other side of the road.

"i think he was experienced at driving in a field but he hadn’t driven on the road much" – kish hulm's friend ryan godden

He said: "I slowed down but the vehicle cut in front of me, lost control from the back end of the car and went into the on-coming traffic."

Focus driver Mr Drury described Mr Hulm’s driving as insane in his police statement and said he felt for a person to drive like that he must have been being pursued.

"I expected to see a police car behind it," he said.

"I feel the Sierra was travelling well in excess of 60mph."

Assistant deputy coroner Gail Elliman recorded two separate verdicts.

"In the case of Miss Mackinnon, the evidence of the driving at the time of the incident leads me to the inevitable conclusion of a verdict of unlawful killing," she said.

"The driving was so reckless that it did inevitably cause her death."

In the case of Mr Hulm, she recorded a narrative verdict.

Both their deaths were due to multiple injuries caused by the collision.

Miss Mackinnon was pronounced dead at 5.30pm. Mr Hulm was airlifted to Queen’s Hospital in Romford, Essex, where he died from his injuries five days later.

Both their families were in court to hear the verdicts.

Mr Hulm’s mother, Kaytie Privett, said: "I want to say we are really sorry to Claire’s family for their loss and for her son’s loss."

She also said she wants to stress to young drivers how important it is to slow down.

Miss Mackinnon’s four-year-old son Jack is being looked after by her family.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Sheerness Times Guardian - out Wednesday.