TRIBUTES have been paid to a “loyal and devoted” family man who died in a head-on collision.

Benjamin Oliver Shaw, 26, died following the crash on the B3147 between the Weirs roundabout and the junction with Westleaze near Dorchester at around 6.15pm on Sunday, July 24 of last year.

An inquest into his death - held at Bournemouth Town Hall on Thursday, March 2 - heard that the collision involved a silver Volkswagen Polo - driven by Mr Shaw - a white BMW and a red Ford C-Max.

Brendan Allen, area coroner for Dorset, read a statement provided by Michelle Shaw - Benjamin’s mother - in which described her son’s death as ‘so much lost potential’.

She said: “Our wonderful Ben - devoted and loyal - is gone and our hearts are irretrievably broken.

"(Benjamin) always stayed true to his principles. He was thoughtful and always the first to offer help to others. He had an insatiable quest for knowledge and could always remember the most obscure facts - he was the person you wanted on your quiz team.

"He was the happiest he had ever been - self assured and confident.

"(Benjamin) was careful and considered in all his decisions which is why his death in a road traffic accident is so shocking.”

Mrs Shaw said her son’s death had left ‘so much grief behind’. The 26-year-old had started a new job as a data analyst and moved into a new property in Southampton with his partner, prior to the crash.

Detective Constable Alexandra Wood said police had taken a number of witness statements as part of their investigation. The statements indicated the Volkswagen, driven by Mr Shaw and heading towards Dorchester, had overtaken the Ford approaching a blind corner and moved into the westbound lane to do so - where he was involved in a head on collision with the BMW.

DC Wood said the driver of the BMW was unable to take avoiding action whilst Chloe Jenkins, forensic collision investigator, said it would ‘not be unreasonable’ to suggest the Volkswagen was travelling at 50mph at the time of the impact.

Emergency services were called to the scene with CPR performed on Mr Shaw at 19.01 before he was pronounced dead at 19.18.

Coroner Brendan Allen said the evidence of the collision was “not in dispute” and that neither Mr Shaw or the driver of the BMW had the ‘time or space’ to perform a manouvere that would have avoided that fatal collision.

An inspection found there were no defects with the car prior to the collision and that ‘there was clear evidence’ Mr Shaw was using a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

He said: “It’s very clear how much Mr Shaw was loved and how much he is missed.”