Teenage Sheffield crash victim died during car ride with friends and brother in days before Christmas

A young man died at the scene of a car crash on a Sheffield road just days before Christmas, an inquest heard.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Jake Birkinshaw died when the car he was a passenger in ran out of control on the A625 Hathersage Road, Dore, on the evening of December 19 last year. He was 19.

At his inquest yesterday, a coroner heard how Jake had been travelling with his brother and three friends at the time of the collision.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There was no evidence of erratic driving and no charges were brought against the 17-year-old driver of the silver Ford Fiesta.

Jake BirkinshawJake Birkinshaw
Jake Birkinshaw

Assistant coroner Katie Dickinson told the family: “I’ve read your tributes to Jake. He sounded like such a lovely boy and he had a lovely family.

“I’m very sorry for your loss.”

Temporary sergeant and collision investigative officer for South Yorkshire Police, James Durkin, ruled that the car lost control after being driven too fast for the wet conditions at the time. There was no evidence of road surface water.

Jake’s cause of death was ruled as the result of injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.

Flowers and a card addressed to 'Jake' laid at the scene of the fatal crash on Hathersage Road in Dore.Flowers and a card addressed to 'Jake' laid at the scene of the fatal crash on Hathersage Road in Dore.
Flowers and a card addressed to 'Jake' laid at the scene of the fatal crash on Hathersage Road in Dore.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was an avid and skilled clay pigeon shooter and was described as a young man who “always had a smile on his face”.

Soon after his death, his cousin Rachel Smith wrote a tribute online that read: “Life will never be the same without you Jake.

“The most caring cousin who was always there whenever anybody needed you.

“Our whole family is heartbroken, but we know you will be watching over us forever.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Quarry Simulated Game & Sporting Clays in Freebirch, where Jake was a well known member, led tributes to the teenager after his death.

In a Facebook post, the club said: “Jake Birkinshaw was a pleasure to be with, and always had a smile on his face. He was a brilliant clay shooter winning most of the trophies at The Quarry.

“God bless you Jake...you will be sadly missed.”

A wall of of flowers addressed to Jake was laid at the scene of the crash in the days after the accident.