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A HAMPSHIRE cyclist died of shock after a crash with a lorry, an inquest heard.
Father-of-two Alessandro Filipik from Southampton collided with a Scania flatbed at the junction of New Road and East Park Terrace near Solent University, Winchester Coroner’s Court heard.
He later died at Southampton General Hospital on May 11, last year.
The inquest heard that Mr Filipik, of Clovelly Road, pulled up in a left-hand lane beside the lorry at traffic lights just before 2pm, but he was hit when the lorry turned left on to East Park Terrace.
Mr Filipik, who was born in Bueno Aires, Argentina, ran a popular Bitterne Park cafe called Il Picchio for nine years before selling it in 2015.
The 63-year-old grew up in the town of Ascoli Piceno in western Italy and worked at several Italian restaurants before moving to Manchester to study English.
Martin Briscoe, who witnessed the collision, said: "The lorry wanted to turn left and the cyclist was going straight on.
“I remember saying an expletive to my friend. I could see the collision coming.”
Dr Sanjay Jogai, of University Hospital Southampton, said Mr Filipik suffered abdomen, spinal and leg injuries, but died as a result of traumatic cardiac arrest from his injuries, or shock.
Richard Lankstead, the driver of the lorry involved, said he was not aware of Mr Filipik at the traffic lights, and had checked all his mirrors before moving off.
“I felt the lorry lurch, which threw me into confusion,” he said.
“Something didn’t feel right, so I just stopped. I saw something poking out at the front but I could not make out what it was.”
Collision investigator PC Emma Clifford said Mr Filipik was likely only visible in the lorry’s mirrors for a matter of seconds, and that his dark clothing and lack of lights would have hindered his ability to be seen.
Central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short said: "Incidents of this kind are fortunately quite rare, but it is still deeply shocking to all concerned.
"Alessandro placed himself in a vulnerable position alongside the lorry.
“Cyclists are particularly vulnerable in those circumstances. If they are not wearing reflective clothing or otherwise attracting attention they can be inconspicuous.”
He recorded a conclusion of death due to road traffic collision.
A statement at the time of his death, Mr Filipik’s family said: "We are still struggling to take in what has happened.
"Sandro was a very special man, with a lovely, gentle nature and a great sense of fun.
"He got on with everyone and adored his two children.
"He was a wonderful free spirit and a familiar sight on his bike in Southampton.
“People naturally warmed to him and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends, both here and in Italy.”
To me this sadly seems to reinforce that cyclists also need better education.