GRIEVING father Den Hutt, whose son Peter died in a car crash, had persuaded him not to buy a motorbike because he thought a car would be safer.

Peter, 17, and his passenger James Monforte, 15, both of Stokenchurch, died instantly when the Ford Fiesta they were travelling in was in collision with a Volvo driven by Adrian Yates, of Dorridge, near Solihull, on the B482 Marlow Road, near Cadmore End, on November 17 last year.

After the High Wycombe inquest last Thursday, Den Hutt, 45, wept as he told the Bucks Free Press: "The irony is we bribed him not to have a motorbike, which he wanted, because we said it was too dangerous."

James' foster parents Brian and Janice Elson said they are still coming to terms with his death. Mrs Elson, 50, said: "Peter was such a safe little driver. He was very steady - it just doesn't add up."

Mr Yates, badly injured in the accident, told the inquest he had no recollection of the accident.

Accident investigator PC David Valsler said although evidence suggests that the Ford Fiesta was two thirds across the wrong side of the road at the point of impact, he could not say why.

Peter, of Jubilee Road, and James, of Slade Road, were on their way to Marlow Youth Club, when the accident happened at 6.40pm. Mr Yates was travelling in the opposite direction, towards the M40.

Bucks Coroner Richard Hulett recorded a verdict of death by accident. He said Peter and James were wearing seatbelts and there was no alcohol involved.

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