ONE man was killed and two others were seriously injured in a head-on crash near Worcester after a Land Rover driver tried to overtake a lorry, a jury heard.

Katherine Dawkes collided with a Ford Capri coming towards her on the A4538 between Spetchley and Warndon, on the outskirts of Worcester.

The Capri's rear seat passenger Timothy Hill, aged 26, of Cherry Orchard, Pershore, died instantly after he was flung forward by the impact.

Front passenger Dean Andrews, also from Pershore, was so badly hurt he remains in a vegetative state, Richard Atkins, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court.

And driver Peter Prosser, aged 27, of Hatfield Bank, Norton, near Worcester, had to be cut from the vehicle after its roof was removed by firemen.

Dawkes, aged 36, of Moor Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, denies causing Mr Hill's death by dangerous driving on April 21 last year.

She tried to overtake the lorry and its trailer at around 10.15pm as she drove to her mother's home in Stow-on-the-Wold.

The road has sweeping curves and long broken lines which indicate a hazard and warns drivers to only overtake if it is clear ahead, said Mr Atkins.

Dawkes, a drug counsellor based in Banbury three days a week, pulled past the lorry which was travelling at 46mph towards Pershore.

Her Land Rover Discovery was next to the lorry - which was carrying portable toilets - when she realised she was not going to make it past the lorry and tried in vain to reach the opposite kerb.

She told police in an interview she was unable to see lights approaching when she began the manoeuvre.

She added: "I didn't think it was safe but I thought it might be possible," said Mr Atkins.

He told the jury that, for a few seconds, Dawkes' driving had fallen far below the standard expected of a safe and competent driver.

He said: "What she did was to take a terrible gamble with the lives of other people. She lost that gamble."

Dawkes was due to stay at her mother's home to be close to her work. She had only driven along the road four times in the dark.

Mr Prosser, a mechanic, was travelling to his father's garage in Farrier Street, Worcester, with his friends when he saw the lorry driver dip his headlights.

Still on crutches, he told the jury: "A car pulled out from behind it. I braked but the car ended up on mine. I heard the engine start up and it reversed back. I was unable to get out."

Mr Prosser estimated his speed at 45-50mph and added: "It's a bendy, dangerous road."

Father-of-two Mr Hill was not wearing a seatbelt, the court heard. But because of the car's age they were not required to be fitted.

The trial continues.