Inquest suspended into A6 cyclist death near Hackthorpe

Peter John Cox, of Lowther, died while travelling northbound on the A6, one mile south of Hackthorpe on Wednesday, Area Coroner for Cumbria Margaret Taylor opened and suspended the inquest into the death of Mr Cox, 78, on February 19 at the Coroner's Court at Allerdale House in Workington. "The reason for the suspension," Ms Taylor said, "is that there is a police investigation into the circumstances in which Mr Cox, who was travelling northbound on a stretch of the A6 towards Hackthorpe, became involved in a road collision which has led to his death.

"The police enquiry takes primacy, so today Mr Cox's inquest is now suspended and, pending the outcome of the police investigation, we will then consider whether or not it needs to be resumed." At the time of the incident, Cumbria Police said it was investigating a fatal collision on the A6 south of Hackthorpe on January 28. Police said the collision, which happened at around 11.40am, involved an HGV and a bicycle.

It said that the cyclist, described as a local man in his 70s, died at the scene despite the attendance of emergency services, including an air ambulance.

Ms Taylor told the court that Mr Cox had been born in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.