The family of a woman who died after her car hit a tree has thanked members of the public who came to her help.

An inquest in Norwich heard yesterday how several people stopped to try to save 21-year-old Lauren Purple on September 25.

Her Ford Focus crashed while she was driving home along Dereham Road in Scarning shortly after 10.30pm.

In a statement, her family said: 'We want to thank everyone who stopped at the scene of Lauren's accident to help her.

'We know she died instantly, but are comforted by the fact that those who stopped tried so very hard to help her.

'We also want to thank all the emergency services that attended.'

A post-mortem examination found Miss Purple, of Southfields, Sporle, died of multiple injuries caused by the crash.

A subsequent police investigation was unable to ascertain the exact cause of the accident, but found speed was not a factor.

Instead it is believed that she may have swerved to avoid an animal in the road, before hitting a tree.

Witness Christopher Halliday was the first person at the scene after noticing car tail lights in the tree line.

In a statement, he said: 'I took a torch out my vehicle and told my son to call the ambulance.

'As I got to the driver's side I could see a female in the seat. She had her seat belt on and was leaning to the passenger's side.

'I felt for a pulse on her neck but could not find one.'

At least four people, including Mr Halliday, performed CPR on Miss Purple until paramedics arrived, but she was declared dead at the scene.

Assistant coroner for Norfolk, David Osborne, concluded she died from traumatic injuries as a result of a road traffic collision.

He added: 'I would wish to offer all of the family my condolences on your loss.'