An inquest has started two years after the death of a Monmouth teenager.

Jack McKenzie, who was 18, died in September 2010 when the car he was travelling in was in collision with another car and a tractor on the B4348 between Peterchurch and Hereford.

A week-long inquest was opened on Monday (26th November) by Roland Wooderson, deputy coroner for Hereford, at the city's Town Hall.

He set out his desire to "make sure this inquest does not turn into a trial" and ruled that he will not hear evidence from Joel Jones, the driver of the car in which Mr McKenzie was travelling, until Friday afternoon.

The inquest heard written evidence from the post mortem which took place on 7th September 2010. The pathologist had recorded his cause of death as multiple injuries, most notably to the head.

Mr Wooderson also read evidence from forensic toxicologist Ceri Taylor, who said there were amounts of ketamine, cannabis, cocaine and alcohol in Mr McKenzie's blood and urine.

The amounts of cannabis and cocaine, she said, were consistent with recreational use and were not consistent with an overdose. The presence of ketamine could be explained by its occasional use as a tranquiliser at the scenes of road traffic collisions.

Forensic analysis of samples given by Mr Jones also tested positive for cannabis, cocaine and alchohol. Toxicology expert Katie Squires said the amounts found suggested the drugs had been taken a few hours before the incident took place, and that Mr Jones was likely to have been experiencing the "come down effects" which follow a cocaine high.

Paramedic David Langley said he was called to the scene of the collision on 3rd September and recognised the death of a male passenger in a blue Vauxhall Corsa which was on its roof.

He said he could not see the driver of the car at first but spoke to him so he could ascertain his injuries.

"I remember Joel asked how Jack was and I turned to my colleague to ask him what to say," said Mr Langley.

"I told him Jack hadn't made it. He was calm and not hysterical. There was nothing in his behaviour that suggested he was intoxicated. His speech was not slurred and he answered all questions."

The inquest heard live evidence from Michael Saunders, a vehicle examiner for West Mercia Police. After examining the three vehicles involved in the collision, he found no mechanical or structural failings in the John Deere tractor, the two-axle baler it was pulling, the blue Corsa Mr McKenzie and Mr Jones were travelling in or the Fiat Punto.

The inquest continues as those involved hear evidence from West Mercia Police today (28th November).