A bricklayer died after a late-night road smash in a stolen car, an inquest heard.

Gary Murgatroyd, 24, lost control of the BMW two-door coupe and crashed into a lamppost in Woodside Road, Wyke.

He was cut free from the vehicle and rushed unconscious to the city's Royal Infirmary after the incident last September but died a few hours later. A post-mortem examination showed that he died of multiple injuries.

Bradford Coroner's Court heard how the car - valued at £15,000 - was taken from a property in Brighouse after the owner left the car keys in his kitchen. Less than 20 minutes later, police received a message about a road accident near a junction and attended the scene.

A number of people heard the impact and saw a Subaru car being driven away at speed. The car was later found in Skegness, Lincolnshire, but there was no evidence to suggest that it had been involved in the tragedy.

Accident investigator John Green said he believed the BMW was travelling towards Odsal when the car mounted the kerb, rotated about 90 degrees, slid sideways into the lamppost and demolished it.

He told the hearing that the speed of the BMW was estimated to be about 50mph in a 40mph speed zone.

Assistant deputy coroner James Turnbull said Mr Murgatroyd - who did not have a driving licence - might not have been "entirely conversant" with the power of that car.

He said: "There's always a danger as we hear in recent times of leaving car keys where they may be easily obtained by someone wishing to make off with a car.

"There should be a warning to all of us to be very vigilant in that respect."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Murgatroyd, of Woodhall Road, Thornbury.