A YOUNG man who died during a high speed street race was driving a friend s modified car which injected nitrous oxide into the engine to make it go faster, an inquest heard. Police say that Sheldon Cabey, 27, of Ordell Road, Bow, reached speeds of over 70

A YOUNG man who died during a high speed street race was driving a friend's modified car which injected nitrous oxide into the engine to make it go faster, an inquest heard.

Police say that Sheldon Cabey, 27, of Ordell Road, Bow, reached speeds of over 70mph in a 30mph zone just before the fatal crash in the early hours of Sunday August 31 last year.

He was driving a blue Honda Civic which was adapted for maximum speed, the rear seats and other fittings were removed to make the car lighter and a bottle of nitrous oxide injected more oxygen into the engine, increasing its power.

On the night he died Sheldon had met with friends in Choats Road, Dagenham, a notorious gathering place for street racers.

Police had already made arrests there earlier that night after they caught motorists driving carelessly in vehicles that were not roadworthy.

Walthamstow Coroner's Court heard from witness, Christopher Morris, who raced Sheldon along the deserted industrial service road that night. He estimated there were over 100 people congregated in the area.

PC Anthony Vane was parked in Choats Road in a marked police car at around 2.30am on August 31 and caught the race involving Sheldon and Mr Morris on CCTV.

The video was played to the court in which two cars could be seen speeding along the road side by side.

One of the racers was on the wrong side of the road and PC Vane said he feared they would plough head-on into the police car.

However the speeding car slowed and pulled in behind the other racer and both vehicles drove past the parked officers.

PC Vane gave chase but the two cars were already far ahead. He told the court: "After a bend in the road I hit a wall of fog.

"When I came out the other side I saw a car lying on its roof. At first I thought it had been abandoned.

"But when I backed up I realised the driver was trapped inside." However police believe the weather did not play a part in the crash as Sheldon had already lost control of the car.

The driver's side of the Honda Civic was completely crushed and paramedics had to go through the passenger side to reach Sheldon.

He was flown to Royal London Hospital but tragically his head injuries were too severe and he died the following day (September 1).

Cause of death was given as massive brain haemorrhaging and a fractured skull.

Coroner Dr Elisabeth Stearns expressed her sympathy and recorded a verdict of accidental death.