AN inquest has heard that a car was being driven at “excessive speed” before it crashed, a fatal crash near Bewdley.

Gemma Hobbins, aged 32, her four-year-old son Keegan Fettis, and her friend Cody Smith, aged 28, were all killed in the horror crash on the A456 at Callow Hill, near to the Duke William pub on May 10 this year.

An inquest into the deaths, held at Worcestershire Coroner’s Court earlier today (November 22), heard that Ms Hobbins was driving her Ford Focus, with Ms Smith in the front passenger seat, and Keegan in the back seat.

Coroner David Reid, heard how the Ford Focus travelled with a “convoy” from Kidderminster to Clee Hill and was heading back to the town when the incident happened.

It was heard that Ms Hobbins “lost control” of the vehicle which then collided with an Audi A7 on the opposite side of the road. The occupants of the other vehicle, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sustained minor injuries.

PC Simon Carpenter, a collision investigator who gave evidence at the inquest, said the speedometer of the Ford Focus was fixed at 50mph, but said this "can't be relied upon."

He said that the driver was struggling to maintain control of the vehicle “for unknown reasons”.

He told the inquest: “The Ford Focus landed on its roof and was almost completely engulfed in flames”.

He told the inquest he was unable to provide any speeds for the vehicles involved. The road has a speed limit of 40mph.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Flowers, balloons and teddies were left in tribute at the scene of the crashFlowers, balloons and teddies were left in tribute at the scene of the crash (Image: NQ)

In a witness statement read out by Mr Reid, Mia Bradbury, who provided police with dashcam footage said: “I saw a huge wall of flames that were easily as tall as the houses on the side of the road”.

Mr Reid told the inquest: "They would have died almost immediately after the collision occurred".

Mr Reid said that whilst it was not possible to say the speed of the car exactly, he was satisfied that it was "substantial in excess of the speed limit for that road" on the balance of probability.

He concluded: “Gemma Hobbins was the driver of a car which lost control while travelling at excessive speed and collided with another car travelling in the opposite direction."

He said that all three of the victims, who were from Stourport, died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.

Mr Reid read out a statement by Paul Fettis, Keegan’s father. It said: “We are devastated as a family to lose our boy Keegan.

 “He was a fun-loving boy and always had a big smile on his face.

“Keegan would have been five in October. He was so excited to be starting big boy school."

He also read out a tribute from Paula Bayliss, Ms Hobbins' mum, which said: "Gemma was a strong and independent young lady.

"She was so funny and so very loved. She was always the joker of the family and there was never a dull moment".

After the inquest, Kate Laurie, Keegan’s step-mum, described him as a “beautiful little boy” who was “always excited”.

Nikki Faulkner, Keegan’s aunt, added that he “loved his sisters” and “loved Newcastle United”.

Maria Smith, paid tribute to her sister Cody Smith. She said: “She was a loving daughter, a sister, and an auntie to the kids. Things are never going to be the same again now”.