A YOUNG man who battled dyslexia to achieve a place at university died in a head-on collision hours before he was due to begin his course.

Alex Diplock, 19, was killed as he went to fill his car with petrol so that he would be ready for his first day as an undergraduate.

His Volkswagen Polo was in collision with a Mercedes 3.5-tonne van on the Ferndown bypass just before midnight on Monday between Canford Bottom and Ferndown police HQ.

A keen in-line roller hockey player and the middle of three brothers, Alex lived at Fitzpaine Road in West Parley.

Hampreston First School head teacher Jill Mumford said she had known him since he was a baby.

"He was the most loveable person and so sincere," she said.

"He had dyslexia, so learning wasn't easy for him but he just kept going.

"He came through all those difficulties and this was so wonderful - Tuesday was to be his first day at university.

"The only reason he was on that blessed road was that he wanted to get petrol at Sainsbury's because he didn't want to be late for university.

"His mum Jackie has just been there for Alex every moment of every day of his life, making sure he got the help he needed - she fought for him all the way.

"Every teacher that dealt with him would tell you that they loved him and he was very, very popular among his peers - we're all devastated.

"He was just about to fly and then that's it. It is so cruel and pointless but he won't be forgotten."

Tina Allen, who ran the hockey club, said Alex loved his hockey and was like "a gentle giant".

"All the boys are going to miss him terribly - we all will," she said.

The driver of the van involved in the accident, a 39-year-old man from Canford Heath, was taken to Poole Hospital where he was treated for back injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to telephone 01202 552099.

First published: Sept 30