Looking at the state of the car, Margaret, I'd expect that they were deployed. But airbags can only do so much. I would suggest that car hit the tree at a speed well above 30mph. Another consideration would be the structural integrity of the car; had it been badly repaired after a previous accident?

Of course, modern-day safety aids lull you into a false sense of security, you think no matter what you'll walk away. I remember Volvo drivers thinking that as their cars were known to be so safe they would always survive. Sadly a friend found it not to be the case.

I'm wondering if air bags were deployed on impact .

I had assumed as much, Lex.

The trouble is that people don't realise cars are very powerful lethal weapons, and in reality, very few people can control them properly; as you can clearly see if you stand by virtually any main road in the country for a few minutes.

Tragic, but it's basically a couple of kids trying to impress their 'mates': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-60805917