A CYCLIST was killed after he pulled in front of an oncoming car without looking, an inquest heard.

Retired manager James Gore, 79, of Meare Green, Stoke St Gregory, might have survived if he had been wearing a helmet, according to a police report read to the hearing.

Driver Catriona Foot said Mr Gore cycled into her path from a side road on the A39 at Chilton Polden on January 18.

Another driver, Anthony North, said: “All of a sudden without warning, a cyclist came out of Ford Lane.

“The driver of the other car didn’t really stand any chance of missing him.”

Acting senior West Somerset coroner Tony Williams concluded that Mr Gore died from traumatic brain injury at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, with the conclusion of death due to a road traffic collision.