A West Sussex teenager died when his car exploded into a fireball after a crash, an inquest heard.

Peter Vellacott, 18, was driving along the A24, between Findon Valley, Worthing, and Findon Village, when his white Ford Fiesta veered onto the other side of the road into the path of a Renault Clio.

Mr Vellacott had recently returned from three weeks in Zambia, where he had helped a church youth group build a medical centre.

He and two friends, Gareth Coleman and Andrew Davison, of Worthing, were driving to Mr Vellacott's home in Glaseby Lane, Washington, in a three-car convoy.

At yesterday's hearing in Worthing, Mr Coleman said he had been driving his Nissan Micra ahead of Mr Vellacott when he saw an "orange flash" in his rear view mirror.

Mr Coleman said: "I looked in the mirror and saw a fireball."

Both Mr Coleman and Mr Davison arrived at the scene to see their friend's car engulfed in flames.

In a report, police crash investigator Colin O'Neill said: "It was about 11.35pm on Sunday, August 25, when the Fiesta was travelling north along the A24.

"As the driver negotiated a swooping right-hand bend he went into the southbound lane. The Renault impacted heavily with the Fiesta.

"Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. Tragically, all persons involved suffered serious injuries.

"The cause of collision lay in the actions or inaction of Mr Vellacott negotiating the bend."

Marjorie Vaughan, of Worthing, was driving the Renault at the time of the crash and was taking her son Neil home.

In a statement, Mrs Vaughan said: "I was driving slowly and looking out for water on the road.

"I do not remember anything until I saw a car straight on, directly in front of me - I had no time at all to react.

"I feel I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Pathologist Keith Roberts said Mr Vellacott had died from severe burns and there were no drugs or alcohol in his blood.

Coroner Roger Stone recorded a verdict of accidental death.