A 14-YEAR-OLD boy was killed when 10 teenagers were thrown from a four-wheel drive Lada as it overturned on a dirt track.

A coroner at the inquest into the death of Shaun Finnigan said: "It was an accident waiting to happen."

During the accident last February, Shaun suffered massive head injuries when he and nine other youngsters were hurled from the Lada Niva. A friend was seriously injured.

Acting coroner Mr Simon Nelson said a mixture of faults on the vehicle, and the fact that 10 people were travelling in it, meant it was always likely to topple over. On this occasion it did, killing Shaun Finnigan. Shaun, of Jackson Street, Little Hulton, was thrown from the car as it was reversed down Wharton Lane. The Lada landed on top of him. Another boy, Gareth Wells, who was 15 at the time, was seriously hurt and is unlikely to make a full recovery.

Mr Nelson, who recorded a verdict of death by misadventure at the Bolton hearing, added: "It doesn't take an expert to appreciate the outcome or what was likely to happen on this fateful afternoon. It was an accident waiting to happen. If there are lessons we can learn, maybe this inquest has served some useful purpose."

The inquest heard from seven boys and girls aged 13 to 16 who were riding in the Lada at around 5.30pm on Friday, February 25. Philip Swindells, aged 16, had swapped his motorbike for the 4x4 and was driving the vehicle all afternoon on Wharton Lane, off Manchester Road West, Little Hulton.

A number of boys were already in the car when they saw a group of girls they knew and invited them for a ride. The canvas roof had been removed and some of the new passengers sat at the back while others stood.

Philip, whose brother Robert, aged 16, was in the car, began to reverse down the rocky road at a speed most witnesses estimated to be 10 mph.

As he tried to turn down a right-hand bend, the Lada toppled on to the driver's side and on to its roof. The passengers were thrown into the air.

Shaun, who was in the front passenger seat, and Gareth were seriously injured as the car fell on top of them. The rail on top of the vehicle landed on Shaun's head, fracturing his skull and jaw in several places and leading to extensive brain damage.

In a statement, Nina Pennington, aged 13, said everyone was enjoying themselves until the car toppled over. She added: "I heard screaming and saw blood."

Passers-by and staff from the nearby Littlewoods Catalogue offices tried to save Shaun's life, but the Little Hulton Community School pupil's injuries were too severe.

An examination by PC Paul Booth, of Greater Manchester Police's accident investigation unit, showed the Lada had a faulty load sensing valve which locked the front wheels when the brakes were applied.

With 10 people travelling in the vehicle, it was very likely to overturn.