Warsash dad died after being hit by Nissan and Land Rover

Christopher Anthony Lynch died from "catastrophic" head injuries three days after being struck by a Nissan Pulsar and a Land Rover Freelander in Ashley Cross.

At an inquest on Friday, August 11, the 32-year-old's death was ruled as accidental exacerbated by the consumption of alcohol.

READ MORE: Tribute to 'hero' Chris Lynch who died after crash

Mr Lynch, a principal quality engineer who lived in Warsash, Hampshire, travelled to Poole with teammates from his rugby team on February 13 last year for a reunion with other friends.

Assistant coroner for Dorset, Richard Middleton, reported the group had been drinking for much of the afternoon before spending time in the Avocet pub in Station Road to watch an international rugby match between England and Italy.

Shortly after 5.20pm when the match had finished, CCTV showed Mr Lynch and his group leave the bar and begin walking towards Ashley Cross.

According to a report by PC Andrew Fields of Dorset Police, members of the party "all appeared to be staggering, running and jumping around in the pavement".

The weather at the time was described as dark with heavy rain.

Reports collated by Mr Middleton suggested that Mr Lynch "unexpectedly" walked into the road at around 5.24pm and was struck by a Nissan Pulsar travelling down the two-carriageway Station Road.

The driver of the vehicle reported seeing "a shadow" appear before the collision and that he had no time to react.

Mr Lynch was thrown partly into the other carriageway and, moments later, was run over by a Land Rover Freelander travelling in the opposite direction.

Emergency services were called and Mr Lynch was rushed to Southampton General Hospital where he died three days later on February 16.

His medical cause of death was recorded by pathologist Dr Basil Purdue as "delayed effects of head injury".

There was no evidence of any wrongdoing by either of the drivers involved, the inquest was told.

In recording Mr Lynch's death as an accident, Mr Middleton said: "It appears to me that the actions taken by Mr Lynch on that particular afternoon and the judgment he exercised had been substantially clouded by the amount of alcohol he had consumed.

"His decision to walk into the road has unexpectedly and unintentionally taken a turn that has led to his death."

He also expressed his sympathies to Mr Lynch's family and friends.

Ellie Lynch, who was married to her husband for just under five years, described him as an "intelligent, loving, kind, caring and handsome" man who adored their two children.