Inquest opens into death of 17-year-old Shauna Stokes in Coast Road collision

Seventeen-year-old Shauna Stokes and her three-year-old cousin Kelsey Marie Stokes died following a crash between a van and the blue Peugeot 206 they were travelling in on the Coast Road between Horden and Blackhall Colliery on Wednesday, September 2.

The pair, from Northern Ireland, were on the way to a birthday celebration for Shauna and her twin sister, Kelly.

Kelsey was pronounced dead later the same day in hospital with Shauna dying as a result of her injuries the next day.

An inquest was opened into Kelsey’s death was opened last week, and an inquiry into Shauna’s death was opened today, Tuesday, September 22.

The hearing was adjourned until October 15, when it has been listed for mention.

Mourners turned out to pay their respects to the cousins at their funeral in Derry.

Many people at the service at St Joseph’s Church, in Galliagh, wore T-shirts decorated with photographs of the pair, while a small aeroplane flew overhead carrying a message of love, with a banner saying ‘2 Beautiful Angels Left 4 Heaven’ flowing behind it.

Fr Michael McCaughey said their tragic loss had left the families and the wider community devastated and heartbroken.

He said everyone’s thoughts were with them and those who were injured as they prayed that “these two young people in the shortness of their lives rest in the gentleness of God’s presence in Heaven”.

In a tribute to her daughter, Kelsey Marie’s mother, Michelle, wrote: “To my beautiful daughter Kelsey, I’m so sad you have to go. I will miss you every single day.

Peppa Pig toys were taken along in tribute to Kelsey Marie.

Photos of the girls were on display at the service before they were both girls were taken by horse-drawn carriage, one at a time, to their place of rest.

Police have appealed for anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 207 of September 2.

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