A HORRIFIED girlfriend dashed to the scene of a crash which killed her boyfriend after hearing the collision on the phone, an inquest heard.

Aaron Dycer was using a hand-held mobile phone when his VW Golf collided head-on with a Subaru Impreza in Dorset, the county's coroner Rachael Griffin was told.

Mr Dycer, a 24-year-old farm worker from Templecombe in Somerset, died at the scene of the crash on the A352 near Sherborne on Saturday August 11.

A Bournemouth inquest heard he was formally identified at the scene by his girlfriend, who has not been named.

Giving evidence at the opening of an inquest into Mr Dycer's death, coroner's officer Ken McEwan said: "It is known that he was on the phone to his girlfriend when the collision occurred."

The inquest heard Mr Dycer's car struck a deer before crashing into the Subaru just before 5am. He died of multiple injuries.

Now Mrs Griffin has given a warning about the dangers of using phones while behind the wheel.

She said: "It would appear that he was using his mobile phone whilst driving. If any good can come of his death it is to warn others of the fatal consequences of driving while using a hand-held mobile phone."

Mrs Griffin stressed that Dorset Police give regular warnings about phone use and added: "It is important to reiterate the warning to ensure that people remain safe while driving."

Police closed the road between Minterne Magna and Longburton to allow the emergency services to deal with the incident.

A 49-year-old woman from Dorchester who was driving the Subaru was taken to Yeovil Hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The inquest was adjourned for further inquiries.

In the first half of this year 263 fixed penalties were issued by Dorset Police for using hand-held mobile phones at the wheel and 104 people were taken to court.