THE driver of a car that crashed in a Bradford cemetery - killing himself and his friend - was over the limit for drink and drugs.

Marcus Ball and Zoe Simpson, who were both 33, died after a catastrophic crash in Scholemoor Cemetery shortly before 5am on December 5 last year, where the car they were inside hit a tree before it landed on its side.

An inquest into their deaths was concluded by Assistant Coroner Laura Fox at Bradford Coroners' Court on Monday.

Marcus, who was a newly qualified driver, and Zoe, his friend and passenger, were in a silver Volkswagen Polo and driving on the access road in Scholemoor Cemetery when the collision happened.

The car was seen in the cemetery a short time before the crash on CCTV, at 4.15am.

Tributes were paid to Marcus Ball and Zoe Simpson after they died in a crash in Scholemoor Cemetery, Bradford(Image: Left and right pictures: West Yorkshire Police . Centre picture: Telegraph & Argus)

Marcus came to a right-hand bend on the road at "too high a speed, losing control and hitting a tree" on the driver's side, the court heard.

The vehicle landed on its side off the carriageway and Marcus, who was unresponsive, had to be freed by the fire service from the vehicle.

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He was pronounced dead at the scene while Zoe, who was found outside the car and had likely been ejected, was rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary where her death was pronounced.

Keiran O'Connor, a forensic collision investigator of almost five years and who gave evidence in court, was not able to conclusively say what speed the vehicle was doing at the time of the crash, due to the quality of the CCTV.

But in a theoretical test, he gave a rough estimate of between 30 and 40 miles per hour and was able to conclude Marcus was driving well in excess of the 5mph speed limit for the road.

It was probable neither Marcus nor Zoe were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, the court heard.

Mr O'Connor explained that a system is triggered with seatbelts where they tighten on impact as a safety measure, similar to how an airbag is released.

He said: "Neither of these had fired."

The investigator added: "It would suggest they were not in use at the time of the collision, but I can't say conclusively."

Ms Fox said: "I want to express the absolute necessity of wearing a seatbelt whenever anyone is in a car."

The toxicology report for Marcus was "particularly compelling in this case", according to Ms Fox.

Dr Martin, a consultant clinical scientist, conducted a toxicology report for both Marcus and Zoe.

The court heard Marcus had 197 milligrammes of alcohol per decilitre of blood - more than double the drink-drive limit of 80mg of alcohol per decilitre of blood.

He also was over the prescribed driving limit for cocaine and cannabis and Dr Martin concluded Marcus had used cocaine in the hours prior to his death.

His report stated that this "may have had a detrimental effect on cognitive and cardiac function", while cannabis use can impair cognitive function.

But in both cases, it was "not possible to predict the effect at the time of the crash, the court heard.

There was evidence that Zoe had recently used cocaine as well, while there was also evidence of cannabis use but Dr Martin said in his report this remains in the urine for seven days so he was unable to say when it was taken.

She had 20mg of alcohol per decilitre of blood.

Ms Fox said the "alcohol, cocaine and cannabis in Marcus's system will have more likely than not have affected his ability to safely and competently drive the vehicle".

The court heard police found a small plastic bag containing white powder in the car and tests showed this to be cocaine.

The scene of the crash in Scholemoor Cemetery, where the car landed on its side after colliding with a tre(Image: Newsquest)

The car was registered to Marcus's auntie, but he had joint use of it.

He had only passed his driving test seven months ago and Ms Fox said, "perhaps his inexperience contributed to it."

The court heard that the car was due to be checked over at a garage on the day of the crash but Mr O'Connor said he found no defects with the vehicle or with the road.

Linda Simpson, Zoe's mum, said in a statement read out to court that her daughter was a "loving person with a free spirit" and was "usually taken advantage of due to her trusting nature."

She added: "She had a contagious laugh and a smile that lit up a room, but she will always be missed at home and family gatherings.

"We always remind her children who mummy was and tell them how proud she would be at their times of achievement and attainment."

Marcus was described as a builder who was "proud of the work he did and difference he made" and "family meant everything" to him.

His mum said in a read-out statement that "losing him has broken our hearts in every way".

She added: "I'll remember his laugh, smile and warmth he brought to everyone's life."

Ms Fox mentioned an unlawful killing verdict can be reached in a case if it involves the criminal offences of murder, manslaughter or infanticide.

But she said: "It may not be reached in case of causing death by dangerous driving or careless driving.

"I'm not considering a conclusion of unlawful killing."

She felt the most appropriate conclusion in relation to Zoe's death is one of a road traffic collision.

Ms Fox said: "Had it not been for the collision, she would not have sustained the fatal and traumatic injuries which resulted in her sad death."

The coroner provided a narrative conclusion for Marcus.

She said he died from multiple injuries which he sustained in a road traffic collision whilst under the influence of alcohol, cocaine and cannabis.

Ms Fox added: "This has been an utterly tragic case and I am very, very sorry for everything that has happened."

Driver was over drink and drugs limit when fatal crash in cemetery happened