Corkman died after car spun out of control

A 21-YEAR-OLD man died of horrific head injuries after he was thrown from a car that “spun like a washing machine” as it flipped over.

Timothy Hayes, from Ash Road, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, bought his 1996 Audi A4 just weeks before the crash that claimed his life.

He was killed instantly after the car spun out of control, hit a kerb and turned over before colliding with a lamp post on October 30 last year.

Four other occupants survived the impact at Bridgemount, Carrigaline, at around 5.30am.

At an inquest into his death yesterday, Cork City Coroner’s Court heard Mr Hayes had consumed the equivalent of four to five pints over the course of the evening before inviting his girlfriend “for a spin”.

The group had brought cans of alcohol to Currabinny Woods before visiting Jessica Long at a house in Waterpark, Carrigaline.

Giving evidence yesterday, she recalled telling Mr Hayes to slow down, minutes before the impact.

She broke down in tears as she described seeing Mr Hayes lying on the road.

“I saw Timmy on the floor. I started screaming to get help,” she said.

Forensic crash investigator Garda Dermot Carroll said the car went out of control as it approached a 90 degree bend in the road, after crossing a speed bump.

Garda Carroll estimated the speed to be slightly higher than the 50km/h limit on the road.

“It spun like a washing machine, very quickly,” Gda Carroll said.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said Mr Hayes had a blood alcohol level of 189mg per cent and traces of xanax and diazepam were found in his system.

“A combination of these would have affected his motor skills and judgment,” she said.

The cause of death was bleeding on the brain due to a road traffic collision.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Speaking after yesterday’s inquest, Mr Hayes’ father said his son had bought the car just weeks before his death and “he loved it”.