D-DAY hero and popular community stalwart Phil Carey was involved in a near-miss accident two weeks before his death, an inquest has heard.

Yesterday Dr Sheriff Payne, Coroner for Bournemouth, heard the 92-year-old fell to the ground after a car suddenly stopped in front of him as he was crossing the road.

The court was told the former councillor, who was the organiser of the Daily Echo Toy Appeal for 17 years, was admitted to Poole Hospital following the incident on Westover Road, Bournemouth, on Wednesday July 2.

Coroner’s officer Alan Young said Mr Carey was crossing the road outside the Robert Old and Co clothing shop and did not see an approaching motor vehicle.

“The vehicle suddenly stopped, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the floor,” Mr Young told the court.

The Rotarian and Salvationist died in hospital thirteen days later after undergoing a hip replacement.

Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Basil Purdue recorded the cause of his death as unascertained pending further tests.

Dr Payne adjourned the inquest until October to enable further enquiries to be made.

A spokesman from Dorset Police said investigations into the incident are ongoing and officers are due to speak to the driver of the vehicle involved.

Mr Carey, who was awarded an MBE for his charity work last year, served as a county and Bournemouth borough councillor and was a stalwart of local rotary clubs and Salvation Army Corps.

He was also a school and hospital governor.