A BREAKDOWN mechanic killed while repairing a car on a Hampshire road was put at "significantly" greater risk as he was unable to park his recovery truck in a safety position behind it, a coroner has ruled.

Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman recorded that Terry Booth, 58, of Ferndown was unlawfully killed when a passing motorist crashed into a Peugeot 306 he was restarting on the A31 near Ringwood three years ago.

He said most of the evidence suggested that his jump leads could only have been used if his recovery truck was parked from the front of broken down vehicle as basic length leads would not normally reach the distance required from the rear.

He added it remained a mystery why Mr Booth did not have a hand held jump pack.

The coroner found Mr Booth was working towards the rear of his own truck and the front of the Peugeot when the accident happened.

He said Mr Booth was "in a safe a position as it was possible to adopt" once an industry suggested safety position - parking three car lengths behind - was ruled out.

But he urged the Health and Safety Executive to ensure the industry looks at the case and investigate why longer leads cannot be used in any future revisions of working practise guidelines.

Susan Lowe, a 62-year-old widow from Leeds, was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and jailed for two years.