CYCLIST Brian Tozer had dropped off a takeaway to an old childhood friend just minutes before he was hit in a fatal crash, an inquest has heard.

The Hexagon resident had met friend Carla Cook near the Enham Arch Roundabout to deliver her a kebab, shortly before he was knocked off his bicycle as he attempted to cross Redon Way on March 6 this year.

Coroner Grahame Short heard at an inquest on Wednesday how the 46-year-old had texted Ms Cook to ask if she wanted anything to eat, before picking up the takeaway after finishing work at the Chalkhill Blue earlier that evening.

The pair hugged and both said the words “I love you” and “Be safe” shortly before they parted. Mr Tozer then began to cycle home, passing through Artists Way as he approached the Folly Roundabout, at around 12.50am.

The 46-year-old was using the pedestrian crossing in the direction of Charlton Road when he was knocked off his bike by a red Mazda 3 and thrown nine metres on to the roundabout.

Mr Tozer, who was wearing dark clothing at the time of the collision, suffered “severe” brain injuries, according to Home Office Forensic Pathologist, Dr Basil Purdue.

Three passers-by, Owen Zeffertt, Roger Sibley and Benjamin McConnachie, attempted to help Mr Tozer until the emergency services arrived.

The group removed a bicycle light from Mr Tozer’s Apollo bike to help them provide first aid and used their spare clothing to keep him warm.

A written statement from each was read out at the inquest, with all three stating that Mr Tozer appeared to have sustained serious head injuries.

Mr Tozer was taken to Southampton General Hospital, but later died of his injuries.

Several of his organs were donated, including his heart and kidneys – a decision that was praised by Dr Purdue as potentially saving the lives of “at least four people”.

The driver of the Mazda, Michael O’Shea, fled the scene and was later given a five-month suspended prison sentence for failing to stop, when he appeared in court in September.

However Mr O’Shea, speaking publicly about the collision for the first time, said at the inquest that he had not seen Mr Tozer until it was too late.

The coroner heard how the 28-year-old had left a “get together” with friends earlier in the evening and returned to his home on Roman Way.

Mr O’Shea said he had not consumed alcohol at the event – a statement verified by a police toxicology report.

Minutes before the collision, Mr O’Shea called his then-girlfriend, agreed to meet her, and then left his house once more.

As Mr O’Shea approached the Folly Roundabout he slowed down and moved into the right lane to go in the direction of Charlton Road.

At this point Mr O’Shea’s Mazda struck Mr Tozer, who was rendered immediately unconscious after smashing into the car’s bonnet and windscreen.

PC Drew McDonnell, of Hampshire Constabulary’s Forensic Collision Investigation Unit, reported to the inquest that the distance Mr Tozer was thrown after the collision suggested that Mr O’Shea was travelling within the 40mph speed limit.

Mr O’Shea was arrested later that day at an address in Yew Tree Close. Police say his mobile phone, used to call his girlfriend minutes prior to the crash, was never located.

PC McDonnell also explained at the inquest that road works, consisting of top soil surrounded by fencing, may have obscured the vision of both Mr O’Shea and Mr Tozer.

He said: “The road works would have reduced the view of both the cyclist and the driver.

“With the reduced view the cyclist may not have been able to see the car but would have had the benefit of seeing the headlights or hearing the engine.

“It is possible that the cyclist may have also misjudged the speed of the vehicle.”

Coroner Grahame Short accepted that the road works were a factor, and ruled that Mr Tozer’s death was as a result of a road traffic collision.

Summarising he said: “I find he (Mr Tozer) had met a friend, Carla Cook, not far away from the collision and had taken her food.

“After he travelled towards Redon Way through Artists Way on his way home.

“At the time there were road works on top of the left hand verge.

“Part of the near side lane was coned off and there were piles of soil and other road work paraphernalia on that near side verge.

“I find that was a significant factor in obscuring the view of both the cyclist and the car driver of each other before this collision took place.

“Having said that there were plenty of warning signs.

“The presence of the road works in the area would have likely obscured the view of both prior to the collision.

“Therefore I conclude that Brian Tozer died as a result of a road traffic collision.

He added: “I have not called it an accident, it was a collision.”

Coroner Mr Short then offered his sincere condolences to Mr Tozer’s family, many of whom were present at the inquest hearing.