Cyclist died after attempting 'impossible' road crossing

A CYCLIST hit by a car in the city died after an "impossible" attempt to cross a busy road, an inquest heard.

Anthony Hatton, 20, suffered a serious brain injury after colliding with a car in Manvers Street at the junction with Lower Eldon Street, Sneinton.

Nottingham Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Mr Hatton, of Rushworth Avenue, West Bridgford, cut across traffic at around 7.30pm on April 8.

He collided with a red Renault Megane driven by Polish national Thomaz Trembacz.

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Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Trembacz said : "I only realised he was there when the collision happened.

"I was shocked. I started to brake very rapidly and then I switched the engine off and ran towards him.

"He was conscious and bleeding heavily. Because of my knowledge of English I was totally broken down – I didn't know what to do."

Another motorist, Scott Dickinson, of Woodthorpe, said Mr Hatton swerved into his path before attempting a second manoeuvre across oncoming traffic.

He said: "He leaned severely and crossed both lanes in front of me. I jumped on the brakes – if I hadn't have done I would have run into him."

Mr Dickinson said he sounded his horn at Mr Hatton.

"Just as I turned my head to look over my shoulder, I heard an almighty bang."

Lorry driver Michael Durrant, of Aspley, said: "He turned right to go up Lower Eldon Street in front of the traffic.

"He didn't look or anything – he just went. He had no chance of getting across safely."

Another witness statement said Mr Hatton had been seen giving a motorist a V-sign with his left hand and making other obscene gestures before attempting to cross into the path of oncoming traffic.

Mr Hatton's father, Russell, said his family was told in A&E that his son "would be fine" hours before his death.

Dr Demas Esberger, consultant in-charge of the A&E department at the Queen's Medical Centre, said staff used the Glasgow Coma Scale, which rates a person's consciousness on a scale between three and 15, with 15 being normal.

Mr Hatton's initial rating was 13 and staff admitted him. However, his condition deteriorated soon after and his score dropped to four. He was transferred to intensive care and had an emergency operation to relieve pressure on his brain, but later died.

Dr Esberger said: "I do not believe that there was anything that could have been done to change the outcome."

Postmortem tests revealed Mr Hatton died of a "traumatic brain injury". He also suffered a fractured skull.

Deputy coroner for Notts, Martin Gotheridge, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "What we shall never know without Anthony here to tell us is why he turned across that oncoming traffic in what other drivers described as an impossible manoeuvre. He was never going to safely get across that traffic."

Mr Hatton was kept alive on life support long enough for his organs to be donated. They went on to be used to save the lives of up to eight people.