AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a three-year-old girl following a crash in Blandford.

Louisa May Pike, of Shaftesbury, died on Friday, August 25, as a result of the crash on the A354 at Thickthorn Cross.

Bournemouth coroner Rachael Griffin heard at yesterday’s inquest that Miss Pike was the rear seat passenger in the car involved in the crash on the morning of Thursday, August 24.

Her mother, Alanda Jane Pike, was driving the silver Vauxhall Astra, which collided with a Ford Transit van.

She appeared before Poole Magistrates’ Court earlier this month after being charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

Coroner’s officer Sharon Ellis told the court that Louisa Pike was taken to Southampton General Hospital following the crash where her condition deteriorated.

A post-mortem examination carried out at the hospital on Thursday, September 5, found the provisional cause of death to be head and neck injuries.

The coroner said due to the police enquiries and ongoing criminal proceedings in relation to Miss Pike's death, she would not be requesting statements at this stage.

The inquest has been adjourned until January 29, 2018.