A father has told of the moment he slammed on the brakes of his car in a desperate attempt to avoid the head-on collision which killed his teenage son.

Stephen Suckling relived the moment a Subaru, driven by Brian Moon, swerved across the road and crashed into his VW Golf on the A272 at Piltdown, near Uckfield, in February, killing his son Laurie, 13.

Haywards Heath Coroner's Court heard how Laurie, a keen sportsman who enjoyed rugby, cricket and judo, died at the scene from his injuries.

As he recalled the final moments of his son's life, Mr Suckling, of The Nightingales, Uckfield, told the inquest: "There was a car coming down the hill and as we got close that car then veered across into our path.

"I then did as much as I could to stop the car. Basically all I did was put my foot as hard as I could on the brakes.

"It just veered for no apparent reason."

Two other vehicles then ploughed in. Fire crews spent more than an hour battling to free Laurie and his father.

The court was read a police statement from Mr Moon, of Forge Close, Uckfield.

He said: "As far as I am concerned I was not on the opposite side of the road, I was on my side of the road. I don't remember any part of the accident."

Crash investigation officer Graham Welsh said there was nothing to suggest the Subaru was over the speed limit although it had been travelling faster than the Golf.

He said the Subaru had been on the wrong side of the road but he could only speculate as to why that was.

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.