A PENSIONER died after he stepped into the path of an oncoming vehicle on a notoriously dangerous road, an inquest heard.

Ronald Walker was making his way home after enjoying his regular couple of pints in the Roseworth Community Social Club when the accident happened in March this year.

The 70-year-old retired postal worker tried to cross Junction Road at about 8.45pm when he was struck by a Ford Escort being driven by Mark Summers.

Teesside Coroners' Court heard the motorist had no chance of avoiding Mr Walker and the car was mechanically sound. According to police accident investigator PC Paul Hardwick the driver was travelling at just over 30mph when Mr Walker stepped into the road.

Pathologist Dr Jennifer Hamilton said Mr Walker, of Rostrevor Avenue, Stockton, died from head injuries.

Paramedic Stephen Roebuck said Mr Walker was unconscious at the scene and suffered a heart attack on the way to Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Witness David Walker, who was not related, said: "I heard a screech of brakes and heard a thump. I saw the car approach and it wasn't going at any speed."

The passenger in the Ford Escort, Kevin Murthick, said the friends were on the way to play five-a-side at a nearby sports centre when the collision happened. He said: "We spotted him the guy ran across the road to try and beat the car, as we braked we went to the middle of the road and caught him dead centre. There was nothing we could do to avoid the collision."

Mr Walker lived alone with his dog and was well-known in the area. His daughter, Moira Kynaston, of Sheffield, formally identified the body.

Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington recording a verdict of accidental death and said he would ask the council to investigate the quality of the street lighting along Junction Road.