A newly-qualified driver lost control of his car and crashed into a tree in a cemetery after drinking and taking drugs, an inquest heard.

Driver Marcus Ball had been drinking, taking cocaine and cannabis in the hours before losing control of his Volkswagen Polo while driving on an access road in Scholemoor Cemetery in Bradford. The cemetery was described as "pitch black" at the time.

Marcus, the inquest was told, had lost control on a right hand bend. The car hit a tree and ended up on its side. He had passed his driving test seven months earlier. Marcus, 33, died at the scene and his passenger, Zoe Simpson, also 33, died later in hospital. Cocaine and cannabis was found in her system, the inquest heard.

A bag of cocaine was also found in the car. An inquest into their deaths heard that it was probable that neither had been wearing seatbelts.

Zoe was found outside the wrecked car. Both had suffered multiple injuries. An accident investigator concluded that excessive speed while negotiating the bend had led to the crash.

People living near the cemetery were woken up by a loud bang just before 5am on December 5 last year. An accident investigation noted that the access road had a 5mph speed limit. The Polo was thought to be travelling between 30-40mph when it hit the tree.

Get all the latest and breaking news in Yorkshire by signing up to our newsletter here.

The inquest heard tributes from the families of both Zoe and Marcus. In a statement, Zoe's mum Linda described her as a loving person, a "free spirit" and a mum who had a "contagious laugh and a smile that lit up the room."

Linda said her daughter was "easily taken advantage of due to her trusting nature." She said the family would always remind Zoe's children how proud she would have been of their achievements.

Marcus' family said they were devastated by his loss. They said no words could describe the depth of pain they were feeling at his loss so suddenly and at such a young age. They described him as a skilled builder, a loving son, brother, cousin and friend. His mum said his loss had left behind "silence in my home and life" that she said was "unbearable."

"We will remember the laughter, smiles and warmth he brought to everyone's life."

Coroner Laura Fox concluded that Zoe had died due to a road traffic accident. In a narrative conclusion, the coroner said that drugs had been a contributory factor in Marcus' death.

She said that it was not possibly to say for sure if seatbelts were being worn but said it was probable that they weren't.

The coroner expressed the "necessity" of wearing seatbelts.

Ms Fox described the case as "utterly tragic" and expressed her condolences to both families.

Final moments of man and woman killed in 'tragic' 5am cemetery car crash - Yorkshire Live