Families face wait for answers after young couple died in horror holiday tragedy

An inquest into the death of a Greater Manchester couple in a horror crash on a country road has been delayed, leaving their families facing a further wait for answers.

Ryan Duffy, 24, and Ellie Marsden, 20, who were on a holiday at the time, suffered fatal injuries after a white Citroen Berlingo van was found off the road near Drybeck, in Cumbria, in September 2021. Ryan was from Ashton-in-Makerfield and Ellie was from Golborne, both in Wigan.

A pre-inquest review hearing took place on Wednesday at Cockermouth Coroners' Court and it was decided the inquest into their deaths would be delayed. A coroner is now set to visit the scene of the tragedy ahead of a full hearing.

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It's believed Ryan and Ellie were travelling from Kings Meaburn towards the B6260 near Drybeck on September 5, 2021. The couple were said to regularly go away on trips together. They had been travelling in Ryan's van at the time it crashed at 7.40am.

After discussing a witness list, Assistant Coroner Craig Smith said it would be beneficial for him to visit the scene of the crash. He also raised the prospect of a jury inquest, reports Lancs Live.

Mr Smith said if there was a jury inquest, a hearing was likely to be delayed until next year. An inquest without a jury would take place in November, more than two years after the fatal crash, he added.

The pre-inquest review heard a police vehicle was following Ryan's van. A police constable who was driving will be called to give evidence, the coroner ruled.

Further decisions were made about the witness list and the family raised questions about visibility on the road as well as the speed police were driving.

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