A 'gentle, quiet and sensitive' man died while riding his bicycle home from work along the A338, an inquest has heard. 

Lewis Richard Cresswell, 25, was hit by a Land Rover Discovery while travelling on the Bodenham Bypass, A338, towards his home at Moot Gardens in Downton.

The inquest into Mr Cresswell's death was held at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner's Court on Monday, May 15.

On Sunday, November 6 2022, Mr Cresswell finished a shift at the Range, in Salisbury, where he had been working for just one week prior to his death.

At around 5pm, he was cycling his usual route south on the A338 using his Carrera electric bicycle when he veered into the right lane of the dual carriageway near the Nunton junction, straight into the path of a car.

David Johnston, who hit Mr Cresswell, was travelling behind and had moved into the right lane to give him enough space. 

However, he had no time to react to the unexpected manoeuvre.

In a statement to the inquest, he said: "I have relived the accident many times in my mind."

Lead investigator PC Peter Fennell said that Mr Cresswell was wearing dark clothing, a helmet and his rear lights were working.

His hi-vis jacket was in his bag but visibility was not an issue according to PC Fennell.

Upon impact, the windscreen of the Land Rover shattered and Mr Cresswell was sent through the air before landing in the road.

PC Fennell said he thought Mr Cresswell had considered crossing to get onto the footpath on the other side of the road, which may account for his unexpected manoeuvre.  

Mr Cresswell was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr James Keegan at 5.51pm, despite efforts from a bus driver to save him.

Coroner Ian Singleton recorded Mr Cresswell's cause of death as one of multiple injuries and a collision with a vehicle while riding a bicycle.

Lewis's father Adam Cresswell described his son as a "gentle, quiet and sensitive man" who "enjoyed a simple life and was happy in his own company".

In a statement read out at the inquest, he added: "[Lewis] had no desire for drama. He purchased an electric bike which gave him a degree of independence."

Mr Singleton offered his condolences to Mr Cresswell's family and thanked his father, step-mother and sister for attending the inquest.

What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

Coping with the death of a loved one isn’t easy – and grief can be exacerbated when the death becomes public record.

But there are important reasons why inquests are held in public and why the press attends and reports on them.

Read more about why the Journal covers inquests here.