Parents and schoolboy son killed after car travelling at more than 100mph crashed 'like an explosion', inquest hears - leaving young daughter orphaned

A father, mother and their schoolboy son were killed when their car travelling at 100mph swerved off the motorway and crashed 'like an explosion', an inquest heard. Andy Moore, 46, his partner Swala Harling, 47, their 14-year-old son Sebastian Moore and eight-year-old daughter had been travelling home from a family holiday when tragedy struck on the M5 near Gloucester in May last year. Their BMW collided with a crash barrier, prompting it to fall down to an embankment and crash into trees. Mr Moore, Ms Harling and their son all sadly died in the crash, though their daughter survived and was put into care with relatives. At an inquest into their deaths this week, eyewitnesses told how the vehicle had been swerving across the motorway prior to the crash, which saw the car burst into flames 'like an explosion'. Area coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said that although Mr Moore suffered with epilepsy, had undergone an aortic valve replacement and had a pacemaker fitted, there was not enough evidence to support a conclusion he had suffered a medical episode. Andrew Robiliard, who was driving on the M5 that day, said the BMW had passed him at speed in the outside lane of the motorway, and then crossed lanes to drive onto the hard shoulder to undertake lorries. 'I would estimate the speed at over 100mph,' he said. Andy Moore (centre), 46, his partner Swala Harling (left), 47, and their son Sebastian Moore (right), 14, died when their BMW came off the M5 near Gloucester on May 30, 2025 The family had been returning to their home in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, after a trip to CornwallLorry driver Adam Norris said he was 'shocked' to see the car undertake him on the hard shoulder.'I would estimate it between 100mph and 120mph. It could even be as much as 130mph,' he said.Joshua Jack estimated the car was driving at a speed of around 140mph.'It was travelling very fast and had thrown up debris from the hard shoulder, which covered my car,' he said.Another motorist, Andrew Harding, said: 'Not only was the car driving fast, but I could see it had its hazard lights on.'I formed the opinion it appeared like someone apart from the driver was trying to steer.'By this I mean it appeared that whoever was in control of the car was over-compensating, causing the car to swerve from side to side.'Motorist Ali Shabaz saw the BMW crash from his rearview mirror.'I can only describe this collision as like an explosion, with a big cloud of smoke followed by car parts being thrown everywhere,' he said.Lorry driver Peter Bakowsky also witnessed the crash and told the court: 'In a matter of seconds, I saw the vehicle brake lights come on and heard tyres screeching, before watching the vehicle crash into the barriers landing in a field.'The next thing I remember is a cloud of dust and parts of the vehicle scattered across the motorway.'Another lorry driver Jurgens Terblanche was on the southbound carriageway when he saw the crash.'I then saw the white car speed direct into and collide with the barrier with a massive force, and the car pitched upwards and went airborne towards several trees just off the motorway,' he said. Sebastian - known to friends as Seb - played for Chesterfield Panthers rugby club's Under-15s squad, having joined at the start of the season 'I would describe it travelling some distance airborne before it collides with the trees and dropped into what looked like a ravine off the motorway.'The emergency services went to the scene, but the three occupants of the car, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, were declared dead soon after.The court heard that collision investigators were unable to say whether there were any faults or defects with the BMW due to the damage sustained.Post-mortem examinations found that Mr Moore, a mechanic, died from multiple injuries, while Ms Harling, an IT worker, also died from multiple injuries, and Sebastian's cause of death was given as head injuries.Toxicology tests for Mr Moore were negative for drugs and alcohol, and his heart and brain were examined by experts but 'again nothing of note was found that caused or contributed to the death', the coroner said.'It is not for me to answer a question of why,' Dr Harrowing said.'There is insufficient evidence before me to indicate that this was a deliberate act on the part of Mr Moore in driving the vehicle in the manner in which he had driven.'It has not been possible to identify whether there were any mechanical defects.'He may have suffered a medical episode at the time, but there is insufficient evidence for me to make a finding in that respect.'Therefore, as to why the vehicle was being driven in the manner it was driven, there is insufficient evidence for me to reach a conclusion on the balance of probabilities.'In tributes paid to the family after the tragedy, friends told how they were 'kind, friendly and much-loved'. Rich Hardy, 46, who was friends with mechanic Mr Moore since they met at secondary school in Chesterfield, paid tribute.He said: 'It's devastating. Andy has been my best mate for the last 36 years, he was a constant joker with a dark sense of humour but he is the sort of person who would always be there for you no matter what.'Swala was quiet but an absolute genuine person and an absolute brilliant mum, they were always together doing things as a family. They had been together for around 20 years.'Sebastian was a big rugby fan, he had inherited his dad's sarcastic side. 'I remember he broke my ribs at Christmas just play fighting because he was a lot stronger than he thought he was.'They had been planning to drive home from Cornwall the next day but left early to beat the traffic. We are a group of six friends and were having a laugh and a joke in our WhatsApp and then a couple of days after it happened I got the news and it just knocked me off my feet.' In tributes paid to the family after the tragedy, friends told how they were 'kind, friendly and much-loved'Sebastian - known to friends as Seb - played for Chesterfield Panthers rugby club's Under-15s squad, having joined at the start of the season.In a tribute posted on Facebook at the time, the club said: 'Seb and Andy became part of our club like they had always been with us - respected by teammates, coaches and parents alike.'Seb was a kind, calm and friendly young man, always willing to listen, always with a smile, and always giving his best for the team.'Andy's presence on the sidelines and around the club was just as valued - warm, supportive and easy to talk to.'He was a lovely man and a true gentleman who, like his son, became part of our club in the most natural and meaningful way. Both Seb and Andy left a lasting impression on everyone who met them, and their loss is deeply felt by all of us.'Swala's passing is equally heartbreaking. Though not as closely involved at the club, it is clear how much love and warmth she brought to her family, and how deeply missed she will be by those who knew her.'The coroner recorded conclusions of deaths caused by a road traffic collision.