A Norwich student died in a crash while on a 500-mile road trip from the United States to Canada, an inquest has heard. 

Olivia Moore, 21, who was from Old Catton, was studying at Temple University in Philadelphia when she and three friends decided to spend a weekend sightseeing in Canada. 

However, midway through their 500-mile road trip the car veered off the carriageway and collided with a barrier - killing Miss Moore and fellow student Francesca Ward.

The crash happened on April 29, in the town of Manchester, near New York City on Interchange 90, with Miss Moore driving at the time.

However, police investigations were unable to ascertain how and why the tragedy happened.

Fellow students Reina Haga and Inese Kosei, the two other passengers in the collision, both told officers they were asleep at the time - and that neither had witnessed Miss Moore drink alcohol or take any substances that may have contributed to the collision.

Toxicology tests carried out following the crash also confirmed this.

In a report read out at Norfolk Coroners' Court, New York police trooper William Schneider added that road conditions were also unlikely to have contributed to the collision.

The court heard that the group of friends had left Pennsylvania at around 7pm the night before and were planning to travel the 496 miles to Toronto in Canada.

Mr Schneider said the Kia Soul rental car had veered off the road at 81mph, striking a guard rail that pierced through the windscreen of the car, fatally striking both women.

Miss Ward, also 21, from London, was sitting behind Miss Moore at the time, with Miss Kosei in the passenger seat and Miss Haga behind.

Jacquline Lake, senior coroner for Norfolk, concluded that both women had died as a result of a road traffic collision.