Inquest hears driver was too close to cyclist

A Lincolnshire cyclist was killed after a car driver failed to leave enough room while overtaking, an inquest heard.

Carl Marriott, of Leasingham, near Sleaford, suffered fatal chest injuries after he was knocked off his bike while travelling home from work.

The 36-year-old was cycling on the B1209 Moor Lane in the direction of Leasingham when Glen Marshall tried to overtake him in a silver Kia Picanto.

In a police statement read out at the inquest, Mr Marshall said Mr Marriott suddenly swerved between one to three feet into his path as he tried to overtake.

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But crash investigator PC Garry Chance said there were no problems with the road and there was no reason for Mr Marriott to swerve.

West Lincolnshire coroner Stuart Fisher said: "On the balance of probability the evidence does not support Mr Marshall's assertion he was travelling with his offside wheels on or just over the central line. He was more central in his lane."

A verdict of accidental death was returned.

"There is not one jot of evidence that Mr Marshall intended to collide with Mr Marriott," added Mr Fisher.

To see more on the inquest, see Wednesday's Echo.