A MOTORCYCLIST who died in a Poole crash was travelling on the wrong side of the road, an inquest has heard.

Paul Tovey, 35 of Sterte Avenue West, died following the incident on Parkstone Road on the night of Tuesday, August 29.

On Thursday afternoon, Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin heard how Mr Tovey was travelling on his Kawasaki motorbike before it collided with an Audi car.

Mr Tovey was taken to Poole Hospital with "significant" injuries, but he was pronounced dead and later identified by his father.

A post mortem examination to establish cause of death was carried out on September 5, and the preliminary result revealed Mr Tovey died as result of internal bleeding caused by a ruptured aorta.

Senior coroner's officer Ian Perry told the Bournemouth inquest the Kawasaki motorcycle was travelling "on the wrong side of the road" and "hit the front of the car".

Mr Perry added that witnesses saw the motorcycle "travelling quickly" at the time.

The driver of the Audi, a man aged in his 20s, and the front seat passenger, a woman aged in her 20s, were treated for minor injuries.

The inquest heard police do not intend to make any criminal prosecutions at this time, but Ms Griffin will arrange for the release of the body once confirmation of this is received from police.

Ms Griffin requested statements within six weeks from Mr Tovey's general practitioner, Poole Hospital, police in relation to their investigations and Mr Tovey's family.

The inquest was adjourned and will resume on February 22 at 10am.

Mr Tovey had been in charge of the Poole depot of furniture reuse charity Dorset Reclaim since the beginning of this year. Previously, he served in the forces for 12 years.

Tributes have been made by Mr Tovey's family and friends, and flowers have been left at scene of the crash.

His father Ray said: "He was dearly loved by all in his family and I am now also beginning to understand the huge impact he made in his wide circle of friends and colleagues, both in the military and outside."