Two sisters died instantly in an horrific car crash, an inquest heard.

Lena Ring and Margaret Kensett were both fatally injured in the accident on Brighton seafront last October when the car they were passengers in smashed into a lamp post.

Lena, 25, a mother-of-four who lived in Forge Close, Portslade, and her younger sister Margaret, 19, who lived with her parents in Foredown Road, Portslade, are believed to have accepted a lift home after a night out together.

Witnesses told how the black Rover was travelling at speed when it hit the cast-iron lamp post in the early hours of the morning.

Lena is believed to have been in the back seat of the car while Margaret, who was thrown from the wreckage although she had been wearing a seat-belt, was in the front.

The Brighton inquest heard how there

had been conflicting reports on who was driving the black Rover. Mohammed Hrimile, who owned the car and is believed to have been the driver, was seriously injured the crash and is still in hospital.

A medical report from his consultant at the neuro-rehabilitation centre where he is being treated, said he continues to have severe memory problems and easily becomes confused. He was unfit to attend the inquest.

The other passenger in the car, Haydar Jeffries, who was found injured on the back seat, did not attend the hearing. The coroner's officer had been unable to serve a witness summons on him.

PC Sean Allman said he had interviewed Mr Jeffries shortly after the accident. In a statement he said: "I was not

driving. I have no recollection of the accident or who was driving. I have nothing further to say."

The inquest heard how passers-by tried to help the injured. Student Laurie Marlow, who was waiting on the seafront for a taxi, was the first at the scene.

He told how he and others carried Lena's body from the car which was surrounded by

debris from the crash, including broken glass.

He said: "There was no clear reason why it should have happened. There were no other vehicles involved."

PC Albert Mariner, of the crash investigation unit, said the front tyres of the Rover were in an illegal condition and he estimated the car was doing about 40mph.

The sisters' mother, also called Margaret Kensett, took two large framed photographs of her daughters to the hearing at Brighton Magistrates Court .

She wept as she said of Lena: "She was beautiful. She was in my life everyday. She was very caring and adored her husband and loved her children dearly.

"Margaret loved her sister. They were so close. It has left a great big hole in our hearts and our lives."

Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley recorded a verdict of accidental death. She said: "The only possible consolation for the sister's family and friends is the medical evidence was the deaths would have been instantaneous."

She said the findings of the inquest would be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

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