A POPULAR young woman described as having an “infectious smile” was twice the legal drink drive limit when she crashed along an isolated Dorset road, an inquest has heard.

Alice Still, aged 23, of Cerne Abbas, pictured, died after losing control of her black Nissan Primera at Revels Hill, on the Old Sherborne Road, near Dorchester, at about 9.45pm on April 18 this year.

The vicar’s daughter, who worked as a barmaid at her village pub, had also smoked cannabis not long before the fatal accident, tests revealed.

Today, Bournemouth Coroner’s Court heard evidence from specially-trained Dorset Police crash investigators that Miss Still had probably over-corrected after drifting slightly towards the verge.

A subsequent spin left the vehicle in a precarious position, balanced upside down on a hedge next to a ditch.

She’d been travelling alone with her dog in the car – which survived the accident – but had not been wearing a seatbelt, the court heard.

Passing motorist Matthew Hirst, who was the first person on the scene, told the court that every time he tried to reach the car it started to slip back into the ditch.

“I just couldn’t get to the person,” he said. “I’m just sorry I couldn’t do more to help.”

Despite another motorist stopping to help, when paramedics arrived on scene Miss Still was pronounced dead. A pathologist later determined the cause of death was the result of traumatic injury.

Earlier that day she’d attended a friend’s barbecue and drank two glasses of white wine. She later drove to the Giant Inn pub, Cerne Abbas, where she worked as a barmaid.

While at the pub, which was closed to the public for refurbishment, she drank another glass of wine, witnesses said.

It was after leaving the Giant Inn that the accident took place.

During yesterday’s hearing the court heard how Miss Still was a very popular member of the local community, who had worked with people less fortunate, once helping establish a food bank for the needy.

She’d worked towards A-levels in law and business, but was set to start training as assistant manager at the pub.

Her mum Jane said: “She loved making people feel special and wanted to help people.”

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Bournemouth Coroner Sheriff Payne said: “She died the result of a road traffic collision.”

He added: “It is always sad to have to deal with a person so young but she had certainly made her mark during her few brief years.”