AN inquest into the deaths of two teenagers has heard they tragically died at the roadside following a serious collision despite desperate efforts to save them by passers by and paramedics.

Skye Mitchell and Caitlin Huddleston, 18, both from Millom had been travelling on the A595 coast road from the town with their friend Ellis Marr for a planned meal out on July 14 last year.

But a coroner, sitting at Barrow Town Hall, has today heard that Miss Mitchell appeared to have lost control of her Toyota Yaris on a bend in the road near Bootle.

The vehicle collided with an oncoming Transit van driven by Patrick Troll, the hearing was told.

Several passing motorists stopped to help almost immediately after the crash.

Michael Cummings was first on the scene - calling an ambulance and opening the door of the car to check upon the three teenagers.

Katie Phillips, a nurse who was on holiday with her family, also stopped and began to carry out CPR on both Miss Mitchell and Miss Huddleston at the roadside.

Alan Brown, a farmer who lives nearby, arrived and helped to lift the two front seat passengers from the car.

However, despite all efforts, both Miss Mitchell and Miss Huddleston, who were A level students, suffered fatal injuries in the impact and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Miss Marr, who had been travelling in the rear seat of the Yaris, was seriously injured and spent five months in hospital.

Mr Troll was also badly hurt and remains in hospital today.

The inquest continues.