A FORMER engineer who was an ‘outgoing, free-spirited individual loved by all of his family’ died in hospital weeks after being hit by a car, an inquest heard.

Neil David Cole died at the age of 61 at Royal Preston Hospital on December 8 2022 after he stepped in front of a woman driving a Ford KA+ in a 30mph zone in Barrow.

Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard Mr Cole, from Barrow, was hit as he was pushing a bike walking across a pedestrian ‘puffin-style’ crossing on North Road near Brewers Fayre shortly after 4:30 pm on November 14 2022 .

A specialist collision report found it was ‘highly unlikely’ excess speed contributed to the collision occurring - and as a result, no fault could be attributed to the driver.

The collision report concluded the vehicle did not lose control but stated that dark, wet weather conditions and glare from lights were likely to have made Mr Cole ‘less conspicuous’ as he crossed the road.

The report said a significant brain injury, previously occurred by Mr Cole in 2015, which the court heard left him with balance, attention and concentration difficulties, may have affected his decision-making capabilities before the collision.

A toxicology report also found Mr Cole to have THC (cannabis) in his system and blood alcohol levels likely to have been over one and a half times the legal drink-drive limit, which the collision report concluded were both likely to have impacted on his behaviour and judgement.  

The inquest heard the driver tested negative for both drink and drugs at the roadside. She has never faced any criminal charges.

A witness saw Mr Cole travelling around a roundabout in the wrong direction before dismounting moments before he was hit, the inquest was told.

The driver of the vehicle said she was ‘devastated and deeply saddened’ to hear of Mr Cole’s death.

The inquest was told she had held a full, clean UK driving licence for 20 years.

Mr Cole was taken to Furness General Hospital before being transferred to Preston's ICU after suffering ‘very significant head injuries’.

After failing to wake up from his head injury, he was incubated on December 6 and died two days later from a cardiorespiratory arrest, the court heard.

A statement from his family read into the court record said: “Neil was an active person who loved the outdoors and working with his hands.

“He enjoyed working with people, travelling and being on the move. He was an outgoing and free-spirited individual who lived a very full life. He is much loved by his family.”

Coroner Craig Smith said: “I am satisfied Mr Cole made it to the central passenger island before stepping out into the southbound lane of the road when he was thrown into the air before coming to rest on the road.

“I am satisfied there is nothing more the driver could have done to stop coming into contact with Mr Cole. I am therefore satisfied that the collision was unavoidable."

Mr Smith said the collision was ‘un-survivable’ and recorded the death as blood head trauma as a result of a road traffic collision.