A MAN has been charged following a devastating crash on the A36 near Knook that claimed three lives and left another person seriously injured.

Hugh Campion, 70, has been charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He is due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on August 14.

The charges relate to a collision at around 10.30am on May 31 last year, when a Toyota Prius driven by Campion collided with three Vespas travelling in the opposite direction on the A36.

The crash had tragic consequences.

Robert Best, 62, died at the scene. Marie Jones, 64, who had been a pillion passenger on one of the Vespas, and Timothy Davies, 62, the rider of another Vespa, later died in hospital from their injuries.

A fourth victim, the rider of the second Vespa, a man in his 60s, suffered serious injuries.

The incident prompted a major emergency response and a lengthy investigation by Wiltshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team.

Investigating officer PC Paul Brewster said: “This is a significant development in our investigation into this tragic collision, in which three people lost their lives and a fourth suffered serious injuries.

“Our thoughts continue to be with their friends and families and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

“As the case will now proceed to court, I would ask the public not to speculate on the collision so as to not prejudice the proceedings.”