THREE young North Dorset men died on a South African highway when their car inexplicably crossed into oncoming traffic, an inquest has heard.

The trio, 18-year-old Oliver Mobsby and Ed Lowton, and Nick Thompson, aged 19, had just embarked on a world trip as part of their eagerly-awaited gap year adventure when tragedy struck.

Yesterday at County Hall, Dorchester, deputy coroner Alan Horne presided over the inquest more than two years after the fatal accident of March 2009.

Parents of the three Gillingham School classmates were in court to hear evidence that their sons’ VW Golf car crossed into oncoming traffic and ploughed head-on into a Ford Mondeo, being driven by South African David De La Hunt.

Mr De La Hunt and his two sons, Craig and Wesley – who were passengers in the Ford– all recovered from their injuries.

Medical evidence showed no trace of alcohol or drugs in the Dorset boys’ systems – nor is it believed they were exceeding the 120km speed limit.

Sadly, all three boys died at the scene – the cause of death was given as multiple injuries.

They were returning to Mr Lowton’s uncle’s house, where they were staying, after a morning trip to a safari park.

It remains unknown which of the close friends was driving at the time.

The accident happened around 1.30pm along South Africa’s M1 highway, between the towns of De Doorns and Worcester, near Cape Town.

In a witness statement read out in court, Craig De La Hunt said: “He came straight at us, both cars collided. We hit each other head on.”

A South African police crash investigator concluded conditions were good and, despite the VW Golf having one tyre that did not meet regulations, this was not a contributory factor in the accident.

Oliver Mobsby was from Gillingham, Ed Lowton was from Shaftesbury and Nick Thompson was from Sturminster Newton.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Horne said: “It is tragic that a world tour gap year should end like this.”