THE driver involved in a crash near a cemetery did not have time to take any action to avoid the collision which killed a great-grandfather, an inquest heard.

Pedestrian John Stepney, of Greenhill Road, Fulflood, collided with a red Vauxhall Corsa on Alresford Road close to the entrance of Magdalen Hill Cemetery at around 12.30pm on Saturday, February 23.

The 74-year-old had just got off a bus travelling east from Winchester and began crossing the road behind the bus and another silver car.

As he reached the middle of the westbound carriageway he was hit by the Corsa being driven by Alresford resident Joshua Brown, who had been commuting to work.

Emergency services attended and despite resuscitation attempts, Mr Stepney was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest into his death at Winchester Coroner’s Court on Wednesday (September 11) heard Mr Stepney's view of traffic travelling on the far side of the road was obstructed due to the bus and silver car, while Mr Brown could not see Mr Stepney from afar due to the bus that was travelling towards him.

Speaking at the hearing, Mr Brown said he only saw "someone or something" as he went past the rear of the bus.

At this point he slammed the brakes but could not avoid hitting Mr Stepney, the inquest heard.

A report by collision investigator PC Tony Clifford said Mr Brown had been "presented with a situation where a collision was unavoidable".

PC Clifford estimated the car, which sustained damage to its bonnet, front windscreen and roof, was travelling between 54 and 57mph prior to impact on the 60mph road.

CCTV footage from the time of the crash was played at the inquest.

The impact to Mr Stepney, a retired draftsman, caused "multiple and very severe" injuries, particularly affecting his head as well as his torso.

He died at the scene very shortly after the collision.

Acting police sergeant Clyde Jerrard confirmed Mr Brown had not faced an criminal charges and he was treated as a witness.

A post mortem carried out by pathologist Dr Adnan Al-Badri provided a cause of death of severe multiple injuries.

Recording a verdict of road traffic collision, senior coroner Grahame Short said: "I accept Mr Brown did not see John Stepney until immediately prior to the impact and there was nothing he could do to avoid the impact or to brake in time to prevent the degree of collision."

In March, Mr Stepney's family paid tribute to him in a statement.

They said: "Dad was a man who put others before himself and was the first to offer help to others.

“He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather with a big heart.

“He had a fun sense of humour and would often use quirky phrases such as ‘quality isn’t cheap’ and ‘just another day in paradise’.

“Dad took pride in himself and all that he did. He will be so sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”