An inquest into the death of a 17-year-old who died in a crash near Halstead has concluded. 

Sam Parsons, of Sudbury, was on his way back home after dropping a friend off when his car was involved in a single-vehicle crash in Sudbury Road, Castle Hedingham on February 4. 

Essex area coroner Michelle Brown opened the inquest into the death at the coroner’s court on October 4, where members of Sam’s family attended. 

Sam, who lived with his dad and grandparents, sent his last message at around 10.57pm, telling his dad he had dropped his friend home and would return back home. 

He was driving a Ford Fiesta and had recently qualified as a driver. 

Unfortunately, his car collided with a tree on the way to Sudbury, and he suffered a head injury. 

Paramedics confirmed his death at 0.07am in the morning and police attended the scene. 

A post-mortem examination came to the conclusion that Sam died due to multiple injuries, including injuries to his head and neck, caused by the road traffic collision. 

The toxicology report showed no interfering factors and his medical records did not suggest any medical events. 

Police investigations revealed there were no faults with the car Sam was driving and the road was in a good state of repair. 

Mrs Brown told the court that there was nothing to suggest he was driving at excess speed or that his phone had been used at the time of the incident. 

She concluded the cause of death due to multiple traumatic injuries obtained during a road traffic accident. 

At the time of Sam's death Cornard United Football Club, where Sam played for the under-18s, paid tribute to him. 

Chairman Tom Clark said: "He was well-liked and respected by everybody in the team.

"I knew him from a chairman point of view as a well-disciplined player, he was good to watch, he was a lovely lad and well-respected."