A motorcyclist made a call to the ambulance service moments before dying from injuries sustained in a crash, an inquest heard.

Robert Lawson, of Harris Road, Ashton Keynes, made the call as he lay dying in a ditch, the inquest at Swindon police station was told on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old died after suffering extensive injuries when his motorbike crashed off the road at Fridays Ham Lane, Ashton Keynes, on March 19 last year.

His mother, Kathleen Lawson, was in court along with one of his four brothers, Joseph Lawson, to hear evidence at the inquest, which was due to finish today.

They told the hearing the call could not have been made by Robert Lawson because of his injuries, which they said included a broken neck, therefore making it impossible for him to remove his helmet and gloves, take his mobile phone out of his rucksack and call the ambulance.

However, the tape of the call, made at the time of the crash at 5.40pm on March 19 last year was played to the hearing.

After dialling 999, Mr Lawson was put through to the ambulance service control room in Chippenham. Ambulance service staff member Alison Jet took the call.

At this point, Mrs Jet sent out ambulances and the fire brigade, believing the caller might be trapped in a ditch.

She also contacted the police, who got in touch with the mobile phone company and tried to trace the location of the call.

She told the emergency services to head for Ashton Keynes and to keep looking. She said he was still conscious and could hear him moaning.

About ten minutes later, the caller had fallen unconscious and Mrs Jet was losing hope of him being found, but she was able to direct the fire fighters to the scene of the accident.

The court then heard from the firefighters who discovered the body of Mr Lawson, with his helmet and gloves off. They said it was immediately clear that he was dead.

Police and ambulance crews arrived soon after the fire engines, but Mr Lawson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The inquest is due to conclude today (Wednesday).