A DRIVER who caused the death of an elderly man after attempting to overtake six cars on a New Forest road has been jailed.

David Lamb, 26, of Latchmore Drive, Dibden, has been given three years in prison after pleading guilty to causing the death of John Richardson, 82, by dangerous driving at Southampton Crown Court.

The court heard how Lamb was driving his Honda Civic along the A35, from Lyndhurst towards Christchurch, when he attempted to overtake six cars, at around 7pm on September 16 last year.

As he was about to overtake the sixth car, a Honda Jazz driven by Mr Richardson’s wife, Anne, Lamb was confronted by a Ford Galaxy travelling in the other direction and tried to pull in behind Mrs Richardson’s car.

The court heard how Lamb was unable to slow down in time and collided with Mrs Richardson’s car, which was pushed into the Ford Galaxy and off the carriageway.

Emergency services rushed to the stretch of highway at Bank between the A337 Shrubbs Hill Road and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive at around 7.20pm on Wednesday, September 16.

Three ambulance crews, a doctor, a rapid response unit and a hazardous area team were deployed to the scene after reports of four casualties.

Fire crews from Burley and Brockenhurst were also called to the scene to free two casualties trapped inside the vehicles.

The road was closed in both directions while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Mr Richardson suffered life-threatening chest injuries and died as a result of these injuries three months later, on December 15, at Southampton General Hospital.

Mrs Richardson suffered serious injuries and was treated at Southampton General Hospital. A second woman, in her 30s, who was involved in the crash was treated for minor injuries. The fourth male casualty was assessed by paramedics at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.

Judge Peter Henry described the crash as a “horrific collision” and sentenced Lamb to three years in prison.

He disqualified him from driving for six years.

After the sentencing, PC Cat Manns expressed his sympathy for the family, adding a warning about the consequences of speeding.

He said: “This has been a very sad case for all of those involved, and I’m glad for the family that the matter has been dealt with swiftly at court.

“Unfortunately this case is another reminder of how dangerous travelling above the speed limits can be.”