A LORRY driver from Ross-on-Wye witnessed a tragic accident that left a young girl orphaned.

Ian Weston was delivering goods to Kwik Save in Pembroke Dock when 12-year-old Sarah Bennett's parents were killed overtaking his lorry on April 23 this year.

At the wheel was her mother, learner driver Sandra Bennett, 40, who lost control of the family's silver Ford Mondeo and crashed into an oncoming Volvo, just miles from home.

Mrs Bennett and her husband, Dennis, 44, from Hundleton, near Pembroke, died from their injuries. The driver and a passenger in the Volvo were badly injured.

Mr Weston has told an inquest in a statement that he saw the family go past him in the mirror at about 55 to 60 miles per hour. He said the A477 between Kilgetty and Broadmoor had been wet and the driver appeared to lose control.

"It started fish-tailing and slew to the right where it collided with the Volvo," he said.

Sarah told family friend Mary McNaughton that she remembered being in the back of the car when it went over the road and she heard a loud bang.

"She later remembered her dad had said, 'What are you doing, Sandra? What are you playing at? Look out, look out, look out!'" Mrs McNaughton told the inquest.

Pembrokeshire coroner, Michael Howells, recorded a verdict of accidental death.