A teenage cyclist was killed after crossing into the path of a recovery truck.

Jason Hylands, 15, died from head injuries following the collision at the junction of Terminus Road and Gildredge Road, Eastbourne.

An Eastbourne inquest heard yesterday how Jason and a friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were cycling westwards along Terminus Road towards a crossing near the Hogshead pub on June 20 last year.

Two yards before the crossing, Jason glanced over his right shoulder at his friend as they cycled close together.

His friend saw a lorry approaching the junction.

He shouted out Jason's name and reached out to alert him to the danger.

Jason, of Royal Sussex Crescent, Eastbourne, continued on his Universal Rampage mountain bike into the path of a 7.5-ton Isuzu flatbed recovery lorry driven by 33-year-old David Hector.

Mr Hector, of Tideswell Road, Eastbourne, said: "I don't think I put on my brakes before I hit him because I didn't notice him until the very last second."

He was on 24-hour call-out and heading home when the accident happened in the 30mph zone at 9.44pm.

In a prepared statement, witness Robert Bohnen, a pub doorman, said the traffic light was green, giving Mr Hector the right of way.

Mr Bohnen said: "In my opinion the driver of the truck did all he could and was driving at about 30mph. Also, the driver veered to try to avoid the lad."

Mr Hector estimated he was driving his lorry at no more than 33mph.

Jason, a Year 10 pupil at Ratton School, Eastbourne, was knocked unconscious by the impact.

He was taken to the Eastbourne District General Hospital where he later died. Toxicology tests showed no alcohol or drugs in his system.

His companion said he believed Jason was unaware of the truck as it drove up Gildredge Road towards them.

He said he saw the truck approaching and thought it was going to turn left before the junction, towards the Old Town.

He said Jason was not trying to beat the lorry.

PC Mark Hill, a Shoreham-based Sussex Police crash investigator, said the truck damage and tyre marks suggested Mr Hector was within the speed limit.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, East Sussex coroner Alan Craze said he hoped the case would impress upon people the importance of the Highway Code.