THE family of a Radcliffe woman who was killed after a car hit a group of pedestrians in Trafford Park are hoping for answers as an inquest into her death got underway.

19-year-old Sophie Louise Smith was killed after the BMW hit pedestrians at a car meet in Europa Way on 31 May last year.

A jury inquest began on Monday at Stockport Coroner’s Court and is attempting to investigate the circumstances leading up to her death.

The families of three of those injured, Sophie’s boyfriend Jordan Chidgey, from Radcliffe, Dan Robinson and Colin Burton, both from Eccles, instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to support them through the legal process after the fatal incident.

Both Jordan, aged 25, and Colin, aged 33, suffered multiple injuries in the incident and were hospitalised while Dan, aged 34, was also injured.

Matthew Garson, the lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family said: “This tragic case highlights the consequences of dangerous driving which has left its mark on so many people.

“The inquest will be incredibly tough for Sophie’s family as they will have to hear evidence about the crash once again and re-live the tragedy in court.

They hope the inquest will provide them with further closure as to what happened and identify if any lessons can be learned to prevent any similar incidents in future.”

Last year the driver, Scott Watkins, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death while driving without a licence and insurance, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.

In August, he was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison and banned from driving for 14 years.

Paying tribute to Sophie following her death, her family said: “Sophie was an amazing daughter, sister and girlfriend and our hearts are broken.

“We will always love her and never forget the time we spent together. Sophie was our little angel and loved by everyone who knew her.

“A big empty space has been left in our souls and life will never be the same without her. We will always be thinking about her and she will be in our hearts forever.”