Stephen Rushworth, 37, lost control of his Volkswagen Golf on a wet road and careered into an oncoming van on August 6 last year. His daughterShannen Harker, 15, died from multiple injuries.

The tragedy happened on Birkby Road, Bailiff Bridge, after welder Mr Rushworth had picked Shannen up from home. He had only recently been given access to his daughter after around seven years without contact.

The inquest heard there had been sharp showers during the day and the road was quite slippery – but Mr Rushworth's car was seen overtaking others and witnesses said the vehicle was being driven too fast for the conditions.

The hearing was told the Golf went out of control on a sweeping left-hand bend and ploughed into a Mercedes van coming in the opposite direction. A Peugeot 106 also got caught up in the smash. It was estimated the Golf was travelling at between 60mph and 70mph on the 60mph road.

Different witnesses could not agree on whether the Golf had overtaken just prior to the crash or further back up the road and some suggested the Peugeot had also been travelling fast behind the Golf.

Paul Harrison, who was driving behind the van when the crash happened, said: "I saw the Golf overtake two vehicles, including the Peugeot. I lost sight of it for a brief second behind the van and when I saw it again it was heading straight for the truck."

Mr Harrison went to the Golf to see if he could help but there was nothing he could do.

Deputy Coroner for West Yorkshire Mark Hinchliffe recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: "I'm satisfied Stephen Rushworth was driving in excess of the speed limit and faster than was safe.

"Mr Rushworth lost control of his vehicle while driving at speed. The consequence was disproportionate to the error of judgment that he made.

"It's an enormous tragedy that he lost his life and his daughter lost her life as well."

After the inquest, Shannen's mother Kirsty Knowles of Thornhill Road, Rastrick, said: "He has left me with a hole in my heart. Our two children miss their big sister terribly. Shannen had her whole life ahead of her but it's been taken away by the person that should have protected her."

Shannen was a pupil at Rastrick High School, where students have created a memorial garden in her name.