AFTER the verdict, West Mercia Constabulary expressed its sympathy to relatives of the dead teenagers - but ruled out any legal proceedings.

Following the crash the driver of a red Vauxhall Cavalier - Oliver Madden - was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to the crash, but no charges were made.

During the hearing, Mr Madden's passenger Nichola Wade described him as a boy racer', who was battered' on the day of the crash, having smoked about 13 cannabis cigarettes.

Witnesses said the two cars were both driving at speed and overtaking each other shortly before Mr Pickering's car left the A449 Worcester to Kidderminster road and hit a tree.

In his evidence, Mr Madden denied having smoked cannabis on the day in question, overtaking or driving in a manner which could have caused the crash.

After the verdict, a spokesman for South Worcestershire Police said officers had carried out a full and thorough investigation following the crash.

"We are not contemplating an investigation against Mr Madden based on anything he said in court in relation to either an alleged use of cannabis or exceeding the legally permitted speed for that road," he said.

"To do that would require corroborative evidence, almost certainly from a police officer, and this is non-existent."

The spokesman added that there was no evidence whatsoever' to support a criminal prosecution against any other driver.

"All available evidence at the scene was immediately seized and forensically examined, but there was nothing to support non-police theories that more than one vehicle was involved in the collision or that the vehicles had been in competition with each other," he said.

"Our thoughts remain with the families of the four young victims of one of the worst incidents of its kind in the south Worcestershire area's history".

Another witness in the inquest, Deborah Cahill, admitted she was driving at 90mph when Mr Pickering overtook her.

But the spokesman said a lack of corroborative evidence and length of time since the night in question meant officers would not pursue legal proceedings against her.