AN elderly West Dorset couple suffered fatal injuries in a crash after their car moved into on-coming traffic, an inquest heard.

Kathleen and Jose ‘Pepe’ Irisarri were travelling west on the A31 near Winterborne Zelston on Monday evening when their yellow Seat Ibiza collided with a lorry coming the other way.

Their car then collided with another articulated HGV.

The cause of the incident is still being investigated by Dorset Police.

Dorset coroner’s officer Allan Young said: “At approximately 5.20pm a three vehicle double fatal collision occurred on the A31 near Red Post, at Winterbourne Zelston.

“A yellow Seat Ibiza was being driven by Patricia Irisarri and travelling westbound.

“Early indications suggest that the Seat Ibiza had encroached on to the other side of the carriageway and collided with the right offside of a Volvo HGV, which was travelling eastbound.

“It then collided head-on with a Scania HGV which was also travelling east bound.

“Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.”

A pathologist concluded that Mrs Irisarri, 72, died as a result of severe head injuries, while her 75-year-old husband suffered fatal internal injuries.

The inquest, which was opened by Dorset coroner Sherriff Payne in Bournemouth on Friday, was adjourned until a provisional date of January 30 next year.

The popular couple, from Wychside Close, Bothenhampton, in Bridport, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year.

There was an outpouring of grief and shock at the news of their deaths, and many tributes were paid by friends and neighbours, who described them as people “who couldn't do enough for you”.

Originally from northern Spain, Mr Irisarri met his wife through church in London in the early 1960s. He worked for British Rail and as a surveyor on the Property Board; she worked in the office of Aer Lingus.

They moved to West Dorset ten years ago, and had three children and six grandchildren.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone who may have seen any of the three vehicles involved prior to the incident to call 101, quoting incident number i09344.