"Horrific" conditions on night five teenagers died in crash

Wet weather, fog and darkness were all among the challenges facing driver Bartosz Bortniczak (18), who died along with four friends when the Toyota Corolla he was driving crashed at Conisbrough last November after colliding with a Seat Leon.

The inquest into the deaths of Bartosz (pictured), from Doncaster, Blake Cairns (16) of Wheatley, Arpad Kore (18) from Intake, Jordanna Goodwin (16) from Intake and Megan Storey (16) from Armthorpe, on the A630 in the town resumed this morning at Doncaster Coroner’s Court.

Arpad’s friend Jonathan Earp, who met the group at McDonald’s in Bolton on Dearne that night, was a passenger in a Vauxhall Corsa being driven by friend Ben York, which he said was ahead of the Corolla on the road when the accident happened.

Of the driving conditions, he said: “Sometimes he (Ben) didn’t know where they were because of the fog and slowed down.”

Mr Earp, who only knew warehouse operative Arpad, told the court they had chatted for ten minutes at McDonald’s.

They were talking about just driving around and had not talked of any firm plans, he said, adding: “Ben usually drives round the Mexborough and Conisbrough area. We usually just park up at Denaby Markets as well.”

Mr Earp said he and Ben left McDonald’s first and later pulled onto Doncaster Road and the car carrying the five friends followed them behind.

He said they had waited at the traffic lights then carried on through Warmsworth to Conisbrough and said Ben stuck to the national speed limit on the 60mph road where the Corolla crashed, killing the five friends.

The inquest continues and is expected to last at least two days.