Cyclist who died after early hours collision on A19 named as his inquest is opened

A cyclist who died after a collision with a car on the A19 during the early hours of a morning has been named.

By Fiona Thompson

Published 27th May 2021, 12:04 BST

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An inquest has been opened into the death of Paul James Avon Oxberry, of Gleneagles Road in Grindon, today, Thursday, May 27.

Derek Winter, the senior coroner for the City of Sunderland, said the 26-year-old had been a pedal cyclist on the A19 northbound, between the A183 Chester Road and the A1231, when the crash happened 200 metres from the turn off at North Hylton.

The incident happened at 1.35am on Thursday, May 13, and Mr Oxberry died at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Cyclist Paul James Avon Oxberry died following a collision with a car on the A19 northbound on Hylton Bridge between the A183 and A1231.

Cyclist Paul James Avon Oxberry died following a collision with a car on the A19 northbound on Hylton Bridge between the A183 and A1231.

Mr Winter said: “I am satisfied that the death of Mr Oxberry was an unnatural one and therefore, given the circumstances of the road traffic collision, require further information from the police together with the outcome of the formal post mortem examination.”

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He adjourned the session until Thursday, August 19, noting Mr Oxberry’s family were aware of the proceedings.

Northumbria Police said officers responded to a report of a collision involving a Ford Fiesta and a cyclist and closed the road until 7am as inquiries began.

In an appeal for witnesses, it asked anyone on the A19 northbound at the time who may have dashcam footage, or anybody who witnessed a bike being ridden on the road to get in touch.

They also asked for the driver of a heavy goods vehicle in the area to make contact, as they could be a witness.

On the day of the collision, Sergeant Dave Roberts said: “This is clearly a tragic incident that has resulted in a man in his 20s losing his life.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this awful time.

“We are determined to find out what happened in the moments immediately before this collision and now need the public’s help.

“This is a busy road and we believe other drivers may have seen a man riding a pedal bike on the northbound carriageway in the early hours of this morning.

"If you did and have any information – no matter how insignificant you feel it may be – please come forward and speak to us."

Northumbria Police can be contacted via the Tell Us Something page online or called on 101 quoting log 47 130521.

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