A VERDICT of accidental death has been recorded in the case of a 21-year-old man, killed on the A3 near Liphook trying to help his girlfriend whose car had broken down.

Jamie Bellion, from Hayling Island, was knocked down by a passing car at 11 pm on July 21, just beyond the Liphook services.

He had stopped to help his girlfriend, Tess Smith, when the car she was driving in broke down on the inside lane of the dual carriageway.

As Jamie stood by the open door of her blue Mini Mayfair, he was struck by a Nissan Sunny car, driven by Alan Evans,70.

Mr Evans, a professional yachtsmaster, told the inquest at Basingstoke last week that he had been returning to his home in Southsea, after collecting his son in London.

"I drove past the service station and the next thing I became aware of was a person standing by the small car," he said. "What happened next is as clear as a camera flash in the my mind."

"He had his hands on the side of the Mini and was standing up looking into it as far as I could tell," Mr Evans continued. "As soon as I saw him I tried to break and avoid him, but I did not have any chance whatsoever.

When he realised he had hit someone, Mr Evans looked to his son and said: "Oh my God, I think I've killed somebody".

Mr Evans continued:"This was an awful shock to me and I am pleased I am here today so that I can give his family my condolences. It was such an awful occurrence and a tragic thing to have happened."

After police officers officers arrived at the scene they breathalised Mr Evans, but the test it proved negative.

The young couple had been driving home separately that night, after buying the Mini in Kent.

Just before the accident they had stopped to refill the car at a service station and had to fill the leaded fuel car with unleaded fuel.

When Tess got back on to the A3, the Mini began "kangerooing" before spluttering to a halt on a verge on an unlit section of the road.

Jamie parked his mum's Vauxhall Astra a short distance down the road and put his hazard lights on before walking back to the Mini.

As he stood by the open door he was hit and thrown into the air by Mr Evan's Nissan.

The HND electronics student, who dreamed of becoming an actor, was declared dead at the scene by an ambulance crew.

A post-mortem examination showed that he died of a fractured skull and severe bruising to the brain.

Tess, a teacher, also from Hayling Island, said her boyfriend had been knocked out of his shoes by the impact of the accident.

"I could see that Jamie had pulled off the road in front of me and after walking back up the road he crouched down to speak to me," she told the inquest.

"Then Jamie stood up and the next thing I heard was loud bang and the car was moved forward as it was hit quite hard from behind."

"When the car came to a stop I started shouting for Jamie's help but when I looked back I could see his shoes on the ground and I realised that something must be wrong," she continued.

"When I looked forward again I could see Jamie lying down in the carriageway.

"I ran over to him and could see that he was bleeding and I held his head and talked to him while another person rang for an ambulance."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, North East Hampshire Coroner Andrew Bradley offered the family his condolences.

"The only comfort I can give the family is that Jamie would not have suffered due the nature of the injuries he sustained," he said.

"You're the ones left suffering - he did not."

The inquest heard that Mr Evans has been reported by Hampshire Police for driving without due care and attention.