A TEENAGE cyclist who died after being hit by a car at a busy road junction may have had his view blocked by stationary traffic, an inquest heard.
Joshua Dale, 14, of Colwick, had reached the middle of the Colwick Loop Road, at the junction with Mile End Road, when he began to cycle across next part of the road.
But while the first lane of traffic was stationary waiting to turn right, Joshua was hit by a car in the next lane which was going straight on.
The Carlton le Willows Academy pupil was thrown from his bike and died from head injuries 11 days later. He was not wearing a cycle helmet.
PC Andrew Fletcher, a forensic collision investigator who examined the scene, raised questions about the junction's safety.
He said: "It's not clear whether he (Joshua) did look or not, but maybe he didn't.
"He's gone straight out into the road. He may have been misled by the stationary traffic."
He said that worn markings at the crossing saying "wait for the green man" had been repainted after the crash.
The driver of the car which hit Joshua, Martin Matthews, said the traffic in the right-turn filter lane had also blocked his view.
He said: "Everything happened so quickly," he said. "I stopped the vehicle and remember seeing the bike bouncing in front of the car."
In a statement Mr Matthews made to police after he was told Joshua had died, he said: "I felt devastated. I feel awful for his family and what they must be going through and his friends."
Joshua's mother, Faith Dale, spent 11 days by his bedside before he died.
Notts Coroner Mairin Casey recorded a verdict of accidental death at Nottingham Coroner's Court yesterday.
She said: "It's beyond comprehension to me what Faith Dale is going through.
"I have a son who is not greatly older."
Read more:Junction safety questioned after deathJoshua's mum Faith: "The house is so quiet and empty without him now."