Driver died after 'over taking several cars' on the 'wrong side' of the Snake Pass

A driver who died in a horror crash on the Snake Pass over took 'several cars' on the 'wrong side of the road' before colliding head on with another vehicle, an inquest heard.
Two people were killed in the crash.Two people were killed in the crash.
Two people were killed in the crash.

Ehtisham Hanif, aged 29, of Sheffield, was killed after crashing into 18-year-old Joshua Rosenberg from Winslow, Cheshire, on the evening of May 15, 2016 near to the Ladybower Reservoir.

Chesterfield Coroner's Court was told Mr Hanif, a shopkeeper, had began to overtake at least four cars on the ascent of a hill before the collision.

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Mr Rosenberg, an apprentice mechanic, died instantly at the scene of the smash. Mr Hanif, who was married with two small children, died after he was taken to Northern General Hospital.

But assistant Derbyshire coroner Kathryn Hayes, said she could not record an 'unlawful killing' conclusion in regards to Mr Rosenberg.

She said under guidelines, a possible conviction in light of death by dangerous driving would not carry over to unlawful killing.

Statements were read out on their behalf of the passengers who were travelling with Mr Hanif. They were both seriously injured.

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One of Mr Hanif's passenger's said in his statement he didn't feel any cause for concern in relation to the driving.

None of Mr Hanif's family or associates were in court for the inquest hearings.

James Tomlinson, who was driving towards Sheffield on the night, also gave evidence in court. He was passed by Mr Hanif moments before the crash.

He came to Joshua's aid and to his friend Jacob, who survived the collision.

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"I stopped and heard people shouting. I got out to see if I could assist. It was very difficult to see and there was a lot of debris from the crash," he said, "I went over the Honda and I heard somebody say 'get me out, get me out'. It was the passenger and he managed to climb out.

"I looked over and I saw Josh and he wasn't moving. I shook him and got no response. I took his pulse but there was no response either."

Giving evidence in court, PC Paul Moorcroft a forensic collision investigator for Derbyshire Police called Mr Hanif's driving 'dangerous'.

"The overtaking being carried out by Mr Hanif would leave little or no time to react for Mr Rosenberg," he said. "The BMW was being driven at high speed. From experience, I could say the car was travelling at an estimated speed of 70 to 80 mph but I'd say it was the higher end of that scale. This action was a dangerous over taking manoeuvre."

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The court heard how Mr Hanif, was driving back from Manchester after eating at a restaurant with friends. Mr Rosenberg was driving back to his home address in Cheshire after buying a car in Sheffield earlier that day.

Recording a narrative conclusion, Ms Hayes said: "Mr Rosenberg was driving at just below the speed limit of 50 miles an hour and wholly on his side of the carriageway. Another driver coming in the opposite direction overtook a number of vehicles at a point where a solid white line prohibited overtaking.

"To do so, he crossed into Joshua's carriageway and collided head-on with him. The other driver's speed on impact was estimated at 80mph."

Several members of Joshua's family sat in court with t-shirts in memory of the 18-year-old.

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A statement from the family read: "As a family, we are devastated for our great loss of our amazing and only son, brother and best friend, Joshua Rosenberg.

"The consequences of Ehtisham Hanif's reckless behaviour has destroyed our family and has left a hole that will never be filled.

"Joshua had his whole life ahead of him. He was a young talented guy with a bright future, which will now never come to fruition.

"We were really hoping today for us to gain closure. However, the non-attendance of any member of Mr Hanif's family have shown total disrespect to the coroner, the court and most of all, our family."

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