Lincoln cyclist was not paying "sufficient" attention at time of fatal crash

A coroner has concluded that the death of a Lincoln cyclist in March last year was a ‘tragic accident’. The Lincolnite reports that rugby coach Michael Beard was crushed by a turning bus after losing control of his bike. Several onlookers said that Beard went over the handlebars after braking hard.

Beard, 31, worked at Lincoln Christ's Hospital School and was on his way to a rugby tournament. An inquest at the Lincoln Cathedral Centre heard that he had been cycling on the Wragby Road cycle and footpath heading north-east when he collided with a bus at the junction with Ruskin Avenue.

The bus driver, Mark Lyon, had stopped at a red light while heading in the same direction as Beard.  He said he checked his mirrors before pulling away but then heard a thud and realised his wheels had gone over something. He admitted he did not use his indicators, but said he had been in the left-turn lane.

A student on the bus said that Beard “jammed the brakes and went over the handlebars. The bus driver carried on and the back wheel went over him.”

Evidence from Lincolnshire Police said Beard's speed was not excessive and estimated it to have been between 12mph and 15mph. A collision investigation officer said Beard was not paying "sufficient" attention at the junction at the time of the collision.

Coroner Paul Smith described it as a "tragic incident" that was over "in a matter of seconds," adding: "I was touched by the volume of floral tributes left at the scene. He was clearly a young man who meant a great deal to a large number of people."