Girl of four died in sat-nav error crash in Blackro

[man for the society]

A four-year-old girl died in a car crash after her parents followed sat-nav instructions which contradicted road signs, an inquest heard.

Ariana Bardhaj was killed when her parents' car collided with another vehicle as they drove along the A6 in Blackrod, Bolton, on 11 September.

Fernando and Trish Bardhaj, of Blackpool, said they had not seen the no right turn signs into Station Road.

Giving a narrative verdict, the coroner said Ariana died of multiple injuries.

The hearing at Bolton Coroners' Court heard that learner driver Mr Bardhaj had just taken over the driving from his wife.

'Plenty of signage'
Ariana and her younger brother, Xhemil, were in the back of the family's white Vauxhall Astra when it collided with the Audi A5, which was travelling at 45mph (72kph). The speed limit on the A6 is 60mph (96kph).

Sgt Garry Lyle, of Greater Manchester Police, told the hearing: "They were following a sat-nav and it told them to turn right.

"There's plenty of signage there saying 'No right turn'. The sat-nav said turn right and they followed that and didn't follow the signs."

Sgt Lyle said he returned to the scene with a similar sat-nav and it also told him to turn right.

But the sat-nav carried a warning telling motorists to follow road signs and restrictions, the inquest heard.

The Audi hit the back passenger door and Ariana took the full force of the impact. She died in the Royal Bolton Hospital three hours later.

Assistant Deputy Coroner Peter Watson said: "The deceased died from a severe head and spinal injury sustained while she was a passenger in a motor vehicle involved in a road traffic collision."