A JOGGER in training for the London Marathon died of multiple injuries after falling into the path of a car, an inquest heard.

Barry Mapp, 50, of Village Drive, Ribbleton, was jogging across Eastway, from the junction of Longsands Lane, in Fulwood, when the accident happened, at around 11am on Thursday, September 16, last year.

Preston Coroner's Court heard that a coach pulled out of the junction of Longsands Lane and turned left toward Watling Street Road.

At the same time a silver Mercedes 230 saloon car, being driven by Mr Ken Taylor, of Chingle Close, Fulwood, who was travelling up Eastway after turning right out of Anderton's Way.

In a statement from Mr Taylor the court was told that he became aware of a person in the middle of the road, behind the coach. Witnesses said Mr Mapp then appeared to look to the left for on-coming traffic. As he stepped back from the road he slipped onto his back and fell under the wheels of the Mercedes.

Mr Taylor's statement read: "I became aware of a figure and before I could even break I had collided with him.

"I opened my door and saw his head sticking out from under the car. Although he was unconscious I was sure that he was breathing."

He said another driver helped him to jack up his car so that he could free Mr Taylor before the ambulance and fire crews arrived at the scene.

Dr Timothy Dawson, a consultant pathologist at RPH, said Mr Mapp was very fit for his age and died of multiple traumatic chest injuries.

PC Timothy Hogan, of Bamber Bridge Accident Investigation Unit told the court he arrived at the scene at 11.45am. He said that although the weather was fine the road was damp because of earlier rain.

He said that he didn't expect there to be tyre marks because the Mercedes was fitted with anti-lock breaks, but there were tread marks were the car had dragged Mr Mapp along the road, who was under the rear wheels of the car.

Coroner Howard McCann recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.