A LORRY driver killed a council worker when he failed to see his brightly-lit van parked at the side of a road in the New Forest.

Robert Murray of Northerwood Avenue, Lyndhurst, died from multiple injuries after his yellow box van was struck from behind by a lorry being driven by Andrew Ellis.

A Southampton inquest was told how the 66-year-old had pulled over on the unlit A35 between Lyndhurst and Ashurst Bridge at about 5.50am on October 1 last year.

He had stopped to allow his colleague, Allen Amey, to pick up rubbish from the grass verge.

The hearing was told how it had been dark at the time but the pair's new box van would have been clearly visible, with its lights, hazards and a rotating beacon lamp on the roof.

In a statement, street cleaner Mr Amey, from Lyndhurst, described how they had been travelling in a New Forest District Council van. He remembered seeing his boss switch on the vehicle's beacon before he got out to pick up a carton from the verge, leaving Mr Murray inside.

"I heard a very loud bang, quickly followed by the sensation I was flying," said Mr Amey, who needed hospital treatment for serious injuries. "I think I may have passed out because the last thing I remember seeing was blue flashing lights."

Mr Amey said his boss had stopped the van three times to pick up rubbish because they knew council inspectors were about and he wanted to ensure they did the best job possible.

After the crash, Ellis, who had been travelling towards Southampton to make fruit and veg deliveries, told police he had not seen the yellow van until it was too late to avoid it. The hearing was told he had been travelling at about 60mph - above the 50mph limit for his type of vehicle.

Recording a verdict of unlawful killing, Southampton Coroner Keith Wiseman said: "It is apparent from the evidence given by Mr Murray's colleague in the van that this accident sadly occurred partly as a result of Mr Murray's meticulous carrying out of his duties. In terms of legal proceedings, although not yet sentenced, Mr Ellis has pleaded guilty to the very serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving.

"That, in effect, is an admission that he was grossly negligent on this particular occasion and leads me to a verdict that is more severe than in the case of many road traffic accidents."

Ellis, 35, of Ensbury Avenue, Bournemouth, went on the run after admitting the motoring charge on July 15. He has since given himself up and is due to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on September 15.