A TEENAGER 'showing off' to friends by speeding over a humpback bridge near Carlisle caused a devastating crash, killing one passenger and leaving another seriously injured.

Carlisle Crown Court today heard a moving statement from the mother of 17-year-old victim Gavin Helps, who suffered 'unsurvivable injuries' in the crash on Rockcliffe Road north west of the city on September 22 last year.

James Stephenson Cooper, 18, the driver of the VW Polo in which Mr Helps was a passenger, admitted causing his death by dangerous driving.

He also pleaded guilty to causing serious injury to another young man, the second back-seat passenger, by dangerous driving.

In her statement, Mr Help's heartbroken mother Claire spoke of her son's love of music, walking, cycling, and computers.

After the death of his father when he was 14, Gavin had supported his mum, making her proud, she said. "He was a very calm, caring and gentle young man," said Mrs Helps.

His loss - when he should have had his whole life ahead of him - had devastated the whole family.

The court was earlier told how Cooper had owned the car he crashed for just a week, passing his test a week before that on September 7.

The teenager's friends took videos of him showing off, driving on September 16 over the same railway bridge near Rockcliffe village so fast that the car became airborne.

Moments before the September 22 tragedy, Cooper asked his passengers: "Do you want to get some airtime?"

An accident investigation expert estimated the VW was travelling at 82mph as it crested the bridge - so fast its wheels left the ground. The car crashed off the road and into two trees, its roof suffering severe crushing.

Despite the efforts of passers-by, Mr Helps could not be saved.

A witness who saw the defendant drive past described him as a 'boy racer'.

Mark Shepherd, for Cooper, said the defendant was 17 at the time, and immature.

"It's accepted Mr Cooper didn't set out to hurt anybody," said the lawyer, adding that defendant felt remorse.

Judge Nicholas Barker sent Cooper, of Beaver Road, Belle Vue, to a young offenders institution for 35 months.

He banned him from driving for five years and five months, stipulating that he must take an extended retest before driving unaccompanied again.

The judge said: "The message must go out to young drivers that cars have the potential to cause death and great harm.

"They must at all times be driven with great care to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.

"Above all, cars are not devices for thrill-seeking."