A DRIVER and his 17-year-old passenger were killed after their car crashed into a Herefordshire orchard.

The tragedy happened overnight on Thursday, July 23, but emergency services were not called to the scene until shortly after 10am on Friday.

Opening inquests into the deaths, Herefordshire Coroner’s Court was told the driver, 23-year-old chef Caleb Robert Horncastle, died after the car left the road and crashed into a tree in Dormington, near Hereford.

Coroner Mark Bricknell told the hearing yesterday (Wednesday) that Mr Horncastle, of Tupsley, Hereford, died from multiple chest injuries.

The inquest was also opened into the death of his passenger, waitress Holly Ann Poyner, of Oak Road, Credenhill. She died from multiple head injuries, Mr Bricknell said.

Both inquests were adjourned to a later date yet to be confirmed.

West Mercia Police has appealed for witnesses to the crash to come forward. They say the crash happened on Clay Hill Pit between 11pm on Thursday, July 23, and 3am on Friday, July 24.

Chief inspector Edd Williams said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of both victims at this extremely difficult time.

“An investigation is under way to establish the circumstances. If you have any information please call us on 101 and quote incident number 184 of 24 July 2020.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the scene at 10.17am on Friday and found the car with “significant damage”.

A spokesman said: “Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save either patient and they were confirmed dead at the scene.”