A PROMISING diver was unlawfully killed when he was knocked down by a hit and run driver, a coroner has ruled.

Gavin Hustler-Brown, 22, died from severe head injuries after he was struck by a car while crossing Bevois Valley Road in Southampton in April 2007.

Southampton Coroner’s Court was told how the Southampton Solent University criminology student was using a mobile phone when crossing the road.

The Vauxhall Astra that hit him could have been travelling at 50mph and without headlights on in the 30mph road, the inquest heard.

As reported in the Daily Echo the driver, Lukasz Banasik, 26, fled to Poland. Earlier this month he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to five years in jail.

Coroner Keith Wiseman said: “It was a terrible event made far worse by everything that happened beyond the collision itself. The only small consoling factor is that the person responsible is in prison at this time.”

He recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.