Despite her father’s valiant efforts to save her, a teenage girl was killed when the automobile she was riding in went backwards and flipped.
Aaliyah Sedley-Jones, also known as Lily, was a 17-year-old waiting by herself in the family car when she started the engine, disabling the automatic handbrake.
The Citroen locked automatically due to its speed, thwarting her father’s desperate attempts to release the doors and stop the car from rolling away, leaving him with little choice but to stand by in horror.
Lily was killed when a car tipped over on top of her on January 5 in Spring Hill, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, according to an inquest held on Monday.
Dad Benjamin Jones said at the court that he saw his daughter seated behind the wheel and that he heard her start the car.
The Citroen C4’s doors lock when a speed of 6 mph is achieved, the coroner was informed.
He told the inquest: “I couldn’t hold on to it any longer.
“I have no idea why Lily got into the driver’s seat and tried to drive the car.”
The rolling vehicle hit a grass verge, a wall and a lamppost before flipping on top of Lily.
Desperate rescue efforts from neighbours, family members and paramedics proved unsuccessful and Lily died at the scene shortly before 9pm.
Lily had never operated the vehicle before, according to the police, who also testified at the inquiry.
Coroner Maria Voisin declared the death to be “accidental” because there were no defects with the car.
Injury to the brain was listed as the cause of death.
When Lily passed away, Lily’s mother released the following statement in remembrance: “Lily, you were abducted at the exact moment that your life was starting, and you were overjoyed about everything you had to look forward to.
“You made the most of each and every day you had.
“You were my closest buddy; you brought life and brightness into every space you entered.
“You were terrified of losing anyone you loved, and my only solace was that I
“You genuinely were too perfect for this cruel world and the time where I can be with you again cannot come soon enough.”
“Taken from us at the worst age of only 17 in a sudden tragic accident that will forever haunt us.
“We were proud of you every moment of every day and we love you more than you could ever imagine my beautiful Lily.”
