A 67-year-old cyclist died instantly when he pulled in front of a car on the A59 near Sawley, an inquest heard.

The hearing was told a police officer, an intensive care nurse, two army medics and three doctors who lived nearby were on the scene within minutes but were unable to save John Keith Whitaker.

The hearing was told that Mr Whitaker, a retired managing director, of The Willows, Whalley Road, Mellor Brook, and two friends, John Monk and Simon Dobson, had met to complete a 50-mile ride on Sunday, May 11.

Mr Monk told how they had done about 40 miles when they approached the A59 after passing through Sawley. The three stopped at the junction and Mr Monk said the road was clear of traffic in the Clitheroe direction, and there were two cars, one white and one black heading down Sawley Brow about 150 metres apart.

Mr Monk crossed to the central reservation and then went behind the white car to the nearside of the road. Mr Dobson said he decided to wait on the reservation for the black car to pass.

Jeff Duerden, the black car’s driver, said he was heading to his home in Dudley, West Midlands. As he came down the hill he saw the first cyclist and slowed slightly and also saw the other two cyclists on the central hatchings.

“One of them just pulled out in front of me,” said Mr Duerden. “He didn’t seem to look.”

The cause of death was given as multiple crush injuries, and a verdict of accidental death was recorded.