A POLICE accident investigator has contradicted the account given by a lorry driver who is accused of causing the death of a cyclist on the A19.

The defendant Paul Dove told police that the victim Christopher Griffiths was stood beside his bike when his Mercedes lorry collided with him.

But PC Robin Turner, of Cleveland police, who investigated the crash, told Mr Dove's trial at Teesside Crown Court he believed the cyclist was astride his bike.

He said: “The lorry hit the cycle and crushed the rear wheel. The cycle had to be removed from between Mr Griffiths' legs.”

A front wheel from the bike was also completely detached and found near a central reservation.

PC Turner said Mr Dove's vehicle, which was pulling a 37 tonne trailer, had been travelling just under 53mph before the point of impact.

There was impact damage to a plastic front bumper and nearside trim as well as scuff marks on the lorry consistent with a bicycle.

PC Turner, who was quizzed by prosecutor Paul Cleasby, agreed that the vehicle was roadworthy and its condition did not contribute to the crash which happened in the early morning of January 23 last year near Billingham.

Mr Dove, 54, of Aldwych Square, Farringdon, Sunderland, denies causing death by careless driving.

The prosecution say he would have had a good view of 50-year-old Mr Griffiths, from Wynyard, near Stockton, and had he been driving in a competent fashion no collision would have occurred.

Mr Griffiths had been riding on a stretch of asphalt next to a rumble strip at the side of the nearside carriageway when the accident happened.

The trial continues.