Inquests have been formally opened into the death of a young Kendal woman and man who died in a collision.
Victoria Handley and Jack Willan, both 20, died following the two-vehicle collision on the A65 near Stainton in the early hours of September 8.
It involved a black Citroen Saxo and a white Vauxhall Antara. Both Victoria and Jack died at the scene.
A 36-year-old woman driving the Antara was taken to hospital with what police said were significant injuries. The road was closed for several hours while a forensic collision investigation took place.
In a tribute, Victoria was described as “a wonderful, beautiful, talented daughter, who will be missed forever by her family and friends and those who knew and loved her.” Her mother said: “She was a vibrant young woman who loved life and lived it to the full.”
Jack was “never without a smile on his face”; “full of fun, wise beyond his years, so kind, generous and fiercely loyal”. “A truly amazing friend to so many,” his mother said.
Inquests into the deaths of Victoria and Jack were formally opened and adjourned this morning by assistant Cumbria coroner Craig Smith at HM coroners’ court in Cockermouth.
Mr Smith noted Victoria, of Kirkbarrow, Kendal, was a receptionist while the occupation of Jack, of Rinkfield, was given as engineer.
They had been travelling along the A65 from Crooklands in the direction of Kendal town centre. Victoria had been driving the Saxo while Jack was a front seat passenger.
Mr Smith outlined some brief circumstances which were said to have led to the collision involving the Antara. This had occurred outside Millers Beck guest house, Mill Bridge Lane — a location around four miles south of Kendal.
The pair had been formally identified by their mothers at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on September 8.
Mr Smith, who opened the two inquests separately, concluded by saying: “I now adjourn this matter to a provisional inquest hearing date of March 9, 2023, when both Mr Willan and Miss Handley’s inquests will be heard together.”
In a public appeal after the tragedy, a Cumbria police spokesman asked anyone with information about the incident to report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it, quoting incident number 2 of 8th July 2022; or by calling 101.
