A CYCLIST who was struck by a car after apparently lying down on a darkened road died from chest injuries, an inquest was told yesterday.
Extreme sports enthusiast David Sturdy, 48, from Yarm Road, Darlington, was killed on Monday last week when he was struck by a Nissan Primera in Middleton St George.
Police investigating the tragedy are trying to establish why the school chef was lying in the middle of the A67 at the time of the accident.
His identity had remained a mystery for several days until police tracked down the shop that sold him his Newcastle United Football Club mountain bike, which was found undamaged near the accident scene.
His body was eventually identified last Thursday by his sister, Linda Drummond.
An inquest into Mr Sturdy's death, which was opened at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday, heard from Home Office pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper that the only injuries to his body were those sustained in the accident.
Darlington and South-West Durham Coroner Colin Penna adjourned the permit further police inquiries.
They have appealed for help from anyone who saw Mr Sturdy on his bike before the accident. Telephone the accident investigation unit at Durham, on 0191-386-4929.
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