A DRIVER with 25 years' experience – including in the Army – has spoken of the horrific moment he had to get on his hands and knees to look under his lorry after hitting a cyclist.
Andrew Gore told an inquest into the death of 21-year-old Ben Taylor that he did not see the cyclist before the collision, but heard something, got out of his vehicle, and saw the bicycle.
The inquest at Cleethorpes Town Hall heard that Mr Taylor, of Farebrother Street, Grimsby, was cycling to work and was near the junction of Wellington Street and Freeman Street, at about 4.40am on June 11 when he was in collision with a lorry.
He suffered serious injuries in the accident and was dead on arrival at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, Grimsby.
A pathologist found that the cause of death was multiple injuries which were "not survivable".
Mr Gore told the inquest that he had been a driver for about 25 years, including being in the Army, and was working for Allied Bakeries, which has the Kingsmill brand, at the time.
He was on his way to Asda in Grimsby.
"It was dry and clear," he said. "It was just getting light."
He said he did not see Mr Taylor on his bicycle before the accident but heard something. He stopped, got out of the lorry and the first thing he saw was the bike.
He had to get on his hands and knees to look underneath the lorry.
Mr Gore said there was nothing that distracted him from giving his full attention. He believed there was nothing he could have done to avoid what happened.
Senior accident investigator Steve Jackson said the bicycle was "overrun" by the lorry and was pushed along the road.
Mr Gore indicated left at green traffic lights to Wellington Street and Mr Taylor was likely to have been in a blind spot as he did so.
As the lorry turned, Mr Taylor may not have realised his "vulnerability" and may have "unwittingly" been very close to the side of the vehicle when it turned.
"He would not have been readily visible," said Mr Jackson.
The bicycle went underneath the front of the turning lorry.
Mr Taylor was not wearing a protective helmet but this may not have been a significant factor in the death, he added.
Mr Taylor's actions "inadvertently contributed" to what was a "totally avoidable collision", said Mr Jackson.
Mr Taylor's father, Albert Taylor, said in a statement that his son was a "happy child" in his younger days and was in the sea cadets as a teenager, including being a drummer in the band.
"He really enjoyed his time there," said his father.
His son worked for a fish company on Grimsby docks and always rode a bicycle.
He had been knocked off his bike on an earlier occasion but was not hurt.
"Since Ben's death, not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about him," said his father.
"He has left a huge hole in my heart and I miss him terribly."
The inquest concluded that Mr Taylor died of injuries suffered in a road accident.
After the hearing, lorry driver Mr Gore declined to comment. He is not believed to be facing any police action against him.
Mr Taylor's sister, Kerry Johnson, 26, of Lime Street, Grimsby, said: "Ben was outgoing and knew loads of people. He always had a smile on his face.
"He was my brother. He was my world. He always came to me when he needed help. I always helped him.
"He had two little girls, Daisy-Mai, 5, and London, 1, and they were his world.
"He was always a good dad to them.
"He had sorted his life out. Sadly, he went. He was knocked down and that was it.
"He is never forgotten. All the family loved Ben to bits."
Grimsby-born Mr Taylor had brothers, Christopher, Craig and Daniel Johnson and Andrew Taylor.
Christopher, Daniel and Andrew used to work with him at fish merchants JCS Fish Ltd.
Christopher, of Hamilton Street, Grimsby, who still works there, said: "I miss him at work. He got me my job at JCS."
