AN elderly Highcliffe man who says his life has been “destroyed” by a fatal car crash at his home is urging drivers who use phones behind the wheel to think again.

Pensioner Peter Tanswell was asleep at his home in Highcliffe when a car crashed through the bedroom in the early hours of the morning.

The crash which happened in October 2008, killed the driver, DC Ian Morton, and has had a devastating effect on Mr Tanswell’s health ever since.

DC Morton phoned a colleague en route to work on October 26, 2008 after realising he was running late for a 5.30am briefing.

An inquest heard the crash happened within a minute of the call being made.

Coroner Sheriff Payne said there was a “nagging feeling” DC Morton may have been using the phone near the time he lost control.

Since that fateful morning, Mr Tanswell, who says he was fit and well and playing golf four times a week before the crash, has suffered a decline in his health and quality of life.

“My life does not exist anymore,” he said.

“I can’t go out because my wife can’t push me in my wheelchair.

“It’s totally destroyed my life.”

Despite the devastation to his home, which had to be partially rebuilt over 10 months, Mr Tanswell was not physically injured in the accident.

However, a month afterwards, he had his first fall, the start of a series of stumbles since the crash.

He has been told by medical experts he is suffering from hardening from the arteries in his brain, although a neurologist told Mr Tanswell this was not as a result of the crash.

But the 83-year-old disagrees. He said: “I think the shock of it brought it on.

“I’ve lost the astuteness I had before the accident.

“I get terrible depression and just don’t feel capable anymore.

“I don’t like moving unless I am with my rollator frame. I just sit in my chair.

“If I’m startled by a noise it goes right through me and makes my head buzz.

“The slightest thing makes me jump, even after all this time.”

He added: “I think I would be perfect and still playing golf three times a week had it not happened.

“But life is very different for me now. It’s difficult to see how it will get any better.

“If this makes anyone reading it think again, then that’s what matters.

“The people left behind suffer consequences as well.”