A nurse who died in a crash which also killed a US airman made a phone call at the wheel just moments before the fatal incident, a court has heard.

Hilda Jonga died at the junction of Mundford Road and Cranwich Heath Road near Methwold after pulling out in the path of 27-year-old airman Levi Carper. She was 55.

An inquest into her death heard that both drivers had died as a result of the crash - although the hearing focussed solely on the death of Ms Jonga.

The court heard Ms Jonga had been born in Zimbabwe but lived in Hertfordshire and was due to be moving in with her partner Tony Gordon just days after the incident.

In a statement given to the court, Mr Gordon described Ms Jonga as his "diamond" and said the pair had spoken on the phone in the moments leading up to the crash before the call suddenly cut out.

He said she had set up a company with a friend called Quality Plus Locums and on the week of the crash had been staying in Norfolk to provide mental health nursing to inmates at HMP Wayland - where she was travelling to that morning.

Eastern Daily Press: Ms Jinga had been travelling to work at HMP Wayland when she died in a crashMs Jinga had been travelling to work at HMP Wayland when she died in a crash (Image: Newsquest)

The court heard Ms Jonga had been driving a Mercedes GTA, while Mr Carper, who was based at RAF Lakenheath, was in an Audi TT.

The crash caused damage to both cars so severe that it left Ms Jonga's engine detached and Mr Carper to career into a nearby field.

Forensic crash investigator Michael Stolworthy said probes into the unwitnessed crash could not establish what speeds either vehicle was travelling at the time - adding that the right of way was with the airman.

But he said it was likely the phone call may have proven a distraction to Ms Jonga.

Area coroner Yvonne Blake concluded Ms Jonga had died as a result of a road traffic collision.

FAMILY'S TRIBUTE 

At the beginning of the hearing, a statement was read out on behalf of Ms Jonga's family - describing her as a "magnificent lady".

Born in Zimbabwe, she was the fourth oldest of eight children - five girls and three boys.

She originally worked as a teacher but moved to the UK in 1995 to train as a mental health nurse.

From here she encouraged many more of her family members to move over and become medical professionals.

The statement read: "She always put others first and made sure they strived to the best of their abilities.

"Losing Hilda left a huge void in all our lives - she was the life and soul of our family and will always be missed."