A CYCLIST was killed when he fell into on-coming traffic moments after being clipped by a mini-van, an inquest heard.

Devoted family man David Irving died while cycling to work on Mountbatten Way in Southampton on the morning of December 17, 2012.

The inquest heard how Mr Irving, 48, of Leigh Road, Wimborne, was hit by wing mirror of a Ford Transit mini-van driven by Steven Petterson in the inside lane of the carriageway.

The impact caused Mr Irving to fall into the path of a Mercedes coupe driven by Robert Fairbairn, causing fatal injuries, the inquest heard.

PC Edward Wilson, accident investigator at Eastleigh police station, said there was low sun at the time of the collision.

He said: “While the low sun and the elevated perception of Mountbatten Way was undoubtedly an issue for drivers on the morning of the incident, it does not account for the Ford driver's failure to identify the cyclist as a hazard at an earlier stage.”

The inquest heard how Mr Petterson did not realise he had hit Mr Irving and stopped to check the van in a lay by further down the carriageway.

Mr Petterson was charged with causing death by dangerous driving but cleared after a trial.

Recording a verdict of death due to a road traffic collision, deputy coroner Gordon Denson said: “This is just one of those instances where you cannot comprehend what the future will hold when you wake up that morning.”