THREE drivers killed in the same day in two separate crashes on Dorset roads have been named.

Inquests have been opened and adjourned into the deaths of the trio, at three separate hearings held at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall.

The court heard that Kim Peacock, aged 57, of Old Barn Road, Wareham, died of multiple injuries on the A354 at Thornicombe on Tuesday, August 18.

Later that evening, near Kingston Lacy, the drivers of two cars involved in an accident were also pronounced dead at the scene.

No-one else had been travelling in the two vehicles other than the drivers at the time, Dorset Coroner's Court heard.

Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin, who presided over the inquest hearings, heard the victims were Jane Margaret Beaumont, a 56-year-old midwife from Warminster, and Daniel Seth Williams, aged 40, from Brittany Way, St Leonards, Ringwood.

Coroner's officer Nicola Muller, giving evidence at both inquests into the deaths of Mrs Beaumont and Mr Williams, said both died of multiple injuries.

All three hearings were adjourned until November.

Police were called to the double fatal collision near Kingston Lacy in Dorset at 8pm on Tuesday, August 18.

Around three-and-a-half hours Mrs Peacock died in the Thornicombe crash. An elderly driver also suffered critical injuries in the same accident.

Police have appealed for witnesses to both accidents or those with relevant dashcam footage to come forward.

In relation to the Kingston Lacy crash, a Dorset Police spokesman said officers were called to reports of the two-vehicle crash involving a white BMW 114i and a white Skoda Fabia at Blandford Road at 8pm.

Officers attended the scene, along with the ambulance and fire services.

The road was closed to allow for a thorough examination of the scene to be carried out.

Following the earlier crash, police said they were called to the A354 near Thornicombe, south of Blandford, at 4.30pm.

The crash involved a purple Peugeot 107 and a silver Ford Ka.

Officers attended, along with the ambulance and fire services.

The driver of the Ford - an elderly woman from the local area – sustained serious injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.

Her condition is described as critical and her family has been informed.

Information about the Kingston Lacy crash to call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 18:445, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

For the A354 crash, quote incident number 18:333.