Inquest into deaths of two girls on hold

The inquest of two girls who died following a crash has been put on hold while a court case is heard.

Three-year-old Kelsey Stokes died following the collision on the A1086 Coast Road between Blackhall Colliery and Horden on Wednesday, September 2, last year.

Shauna Stokes, 17, died the next day after she was one of seven people to be taken to hospital following the crash between a Peugoet 206 and a van.

Their inquest is being handled by the HM Coroner for County Durham and Darlington, with the latest hearing held yesrerday.

Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield listed it for a further mention on Monday, July 5, at 11.30am, at Redhills in Durham.

It follows a request from the Crown Prosecution Service for it to be suspended.

That comes after Sunderland woman Mary Michelle Stokes was charged in connection with the tragedy.

The 23-year-old appeared before Peterlee Magistrates’ Court last month, where the bench sent the case to be heard by Durham Crown Court due to the serious nature of the charges.

She was released her on unconditional bail until Friday, to appear at the crown court.

She faces two allegations of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to the girls and four further allegations of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

It is understood the girls, who were related and from Derry in Northern Ireland, had been on their way to a birthday celebration, with their joint funeral held in the city.