Driver lost control while overtaking - inquest

Kalan Barratt's ambition was to join the ground crew on the Army's Apache helicopter fleet

A 21-year-old man died when he lost control of his car while overtaking several vehicles, an inquest heard.

Kalan Barratt suffered multiple injuries when he crashed his Ford Fiesta Zetec at 20:43 BST on 26 May on the B1150 at Westwick, near Coltishall, in Norfolk.

Mr Barratt, an apprentice electrician from Northrepps, near Cromer, who was about to join the Army, had been to a pub with friends, although tests found he was under the alcohol limit.

In a statement released after the hearing, his family said: "Kalan is and will always be missed by so many, however, we all have such wonderful memories and stories to share of a truly special young man."

The inquest, at Norfolk Coroner's Court, heard evidence from passengers in the car

Witnesses had told the inquest, at the Norfolk Coroner's Court in Norwich, that Mr Barratt had decided to overtake several vehicles on a straight section of road, but had lost control on a bend while trying to get back into the correct lane.

Jacob Smith, a passenger in Mr Barratt's car, said: "Kalan overtook two cars and I expected Kalan to pull into the gap. I could see the speedo beyond 70.

"I think one of us might have said 'you're still going?' [But] I had always trusted Kalan because he's always been such a good driver."

The court heard how he began to lose control as he pulled back into the left-hand lane.

Police forensic crash investigator Kerry Harman described it as "lift-off oversteer" - where a front-wheel drive car loses grip with the road surface.

The car hit the verge and crashed into a tree.

Area coroner Yvonne Blake, who recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision, was told police had found no defects on the vehicle.

The inquest heard Mr Barratt's ambition was to work as ground crew on the army's Apache helicopter fleet.

His family's statement, issued by Norfolk Police, added: "Kalan [was] a kind, fun-loving, polite young man.

"His smile and laughter could light up a room and he could talk to anyone, of any age, or walk of life."

Since Mr Barratt's death, his friends have raised thousands of pounds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.