A WOMAN who died in a crash this summer was “distracted by her mobile phone”, an inquest heard.

Jade Collins, 26, was driving a Fiat Panda at around 2.55pm, on Tuesday, July 9 when her vehicle collided head-on with a lorry.

She had been travelling from Bristol back to her Bournemouth home to search for her passport when her car drifted onto the wrong side of the road on the A36 at Little Wishford.

She collided with a lorry, suffering multiple traumatic injuries, and was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics.

Senior coroner David Ridley said dash cam footage shown at the inquest held at Wiltshire Coroners’ Court “speaks for itself”.

“Miss Collins failed to negotiate a sweeping left-hand bend, crossed the double white line, and drifted onto the other side of the road,” he said,

“She collided with an articulated light goods vehicle. Both drivers tried to take evasive action, but neither could avoid the crash.

“The lorry driver, William Donnelly, acted correctly and did everything he could. This is a tragic loss.”

PC Jonathan Brant, police collision investigator, said: “It is our opinion that Miss Collins was distracted by her mobile phone.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean she was physically using it, but it was a factor in the collision.”

A badly smashed iPhone with headphones plugged in was found on Miss Collins’ lap.

The vehicle examiner confirmed that there was “no mechanical defect to cause such drift onto the other side of the road.”

Family present at the inquest asked whether Miss Collins may have been affected by medication she was on, but nothing was found in toxicology reports.

In a tribute, Miss Collins’ family said: “Our family have lost a beautiful soul and a bright shining star in all our lives, and the world will be a darker place without beautiful Jadie.”

“In her short time, she made her presence known. Her incredible enthusiasm for life and her kindness was immeasurable.

“Her ability to make you smile never failed to touch us all and lighten our hearts whenever she was around.

“Jade travelled the world to embrace all cultures and her love for animals was magical."

The coroner recorded a conclusion of death by multiple traumatic injuries from a road traffic collision.