Beautician drowned after 'crash threw her from car'

A beautician drowned after she was thrown from a car and became trapped when the vehicle crashed into a ditch, an inquest heard.

Kelsie Stevens, 19, was "submerged" in water for an hour after the crash in Crays Hill, near Basildon, on 25 May 2024.

Essex Coroner's Court heard Ms Stevens, from West Hanningfield, died from "submersion with entrapment" after she was pinned beneath the vehicle.

Four men - aged 74, 54, 18 and 16 - all from Billericay, and one woman, aged 20, from Rayleigh, were arrested in connection with her death. They have all remained on police bail since the incident.

Area coroner Michelle Brown said Ms Stevens was "very young" and died in "tragic circumstances.

"I would just like to extend my personal sympathies," she added.

The brief hearing in Chelmsford was told Ms Stevens was a passenger in a Mercedes, which crashed at about 00:35 BST while heading towards Wickford.

Ms Brown said: "The vehicle suddenly left the carriageway and collided with a street sign.

"The vehicle has rolled and she has been ejected from the vehicle."

Ms Stevens drowned having been trapped under the car in a water-filled ditch, the court heard.

The coroner suspended further inquest proceedings so Essex Police could continue investigating.

In a tribute issued through police after her death, Ms Stevens' family said she was a "dearly loved" daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend.

She worked as a lash technician and "enjoyed dancing, horse riding, cooking, baking, listening to music and spending time with her Dachshund".

"All of us will greatly miss Kelsie very much," they added.

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