A DAD-of-two died when his car hit a tree after travelling at nearly 100mph 'showing off to his friends, an inquest heard.

A coroner said it was 'a miracle' no-one else was injured when David James Hankinson lost control of his Range Rover on the B5278 just off the A590 near Haverthwaite.

The 40-year-old, who was from Burnley, was on holiday at a caravan park in the Lake District and was en-route back to the holiday park from Grizedale Forest when, according to his friends, he was 'speeding up and slowing down' on the 60mph stretch of road.

Coroner Dr Nicholas Shaw suggested he was 'showing off' before he died on August 7 2021.

A police report said he had been travelling at around 95 miles per hour at the point of impact. The report said he had lost control of the vehicle and that there was no evidence of alcohol playing a factor as the level of ethanol in his system was well below the legal limit.

Police heard statements from his friends in his car, and in the car behind in convoy, that he was speeding up and slowing down quickly and was asked to slow down.

Mr Hankinson suffered a serious leg injury as well as multiple other injuries which led to his death at the scene, the pathologist confirmed.

"David was driving far too fast," Dr Shaw said concluding.

"He was travelling nearly 100 miles per hour which is way over the limit and was probably showing off for his mates.

"He has lost control of the vehicle, and this is an absolute tragedy.

"It is a miracle no-one else was injured.

"This was a death due to a road traffic collision."

His partner Sionny Williams spoke of his 'passionate and caring' nature as well as his devotion to his children - who he would travel up to Scotland to see on a regular basis.

"David was an incredible father," she said in a statement.

"He would always go above and beyond when it came to Christmas and birthdays.

"He was a loyal and supportive friend and helped so many people in so many ways.

"He was my absolute world. Life without him will be difficult for anyone who knew him, and he has left a hole in all of our lives.

"He was a fantastic partner, father, friend and son.

"Our lives will never be the same again."

She said he was living his dream as it was his desire to run his own takeaway business and own a Range Rover - both of which he achieved.

He ran Kenanks takeaway and restaurant in Accrington.