A YOUNG couple were tragically found dead in a ditch after their van was followed by cops, an inquest heard.
Ellie Marsden, 20, and 24-year-old Ryan Duffy, both from Wigan, were found dead in Cumbria on September 4, 2021.
Ben LackRyan Duffy, 24, and his girlfriend were found dead in a ditch, an inquest heard[/caption]
Ben LackEllie Marsden, 20, was on a staycation with her boyfriend in 2021[/caption]
Ben LackCare assistant Ellie and Ryan were found at 7.40am[/caption]
Care assistant Ellie hopped into a white Citroen Berlingo van at half past midnight, driven by her partner, away from the pub on the night they died.
A police officer in the area decided to tail the van in Ashton-in-Makerfield, which appeared to go the wrong way down a one-way street.
Assistant coroner Joseph Hart told the jury: “The officer followed the van on to rural roads around Appleby.
“At times he seems to have lost sight of the van.
“You will hear about how the officer followed that vehicle on those rural roads, but at this stage you should be aware the officer didn’t illuminate his emergency blue lights.
“After a distance the officer ceased to follow that vehicle, and he thought the driver might in fact have been aware of his presence.”
The cop reported his sightings and returned to Appleby, pulling over a similar van that proved not to be the Citroen he was following before.
At 7.40am a couple travelling along the narrow single carriageway C3057 road came across a crashed van.
Tragically inside the van were the bodies of Ellie and Ryan.
The vehicle was severely damaged and there were skid marks on the road leading to a big tree.
Jurors were told to consider the movements and speed of the cop car, and whether the police officer was involved in pursuing the Duffy van.
They were also told to consider the officer’s decision to stop following that van.
The pair were staying at a hotel in Appleby-in-Westmorland and were checked in at around 10pm by James Usher – the duty manager.
In a statement today, James read: “The man [Ryan] said something along the lines of ‘I just want to make her happy with a night away.”
“Both were friendly. They seemed in good spirits.”
The pair went to Appleby’s Hare and Hounds pub, the inquest was told, where they stayed until half past midnight.
Heartfelt tributes were read out by the young couple’s mothers.
Karen Duffy said of Ryan: “He was a larger than life character, always smiling and happy. He could light up a room with his infectious laugh.
“He was fearless and would have a go at anything. Ryan’s philosophy for life was to grab it by the horns and live it to the full. He made me proud every day.”
Ellie, said Ryan’s mum, was very special in his life with “two beautiful souls” having been “taken too soon”.
She said: “I do know that the world is a poorer place for Ryan and Ellie not being in it.”
“He was my world and will be missed always.”
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