AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a popular 26-year-old man who died after his bicycle was involved in a collision with a car.

Darlington FC fan Ryan Wilson was described as a “quiet lad with a big heart” following the fatal crash earlier this month.

Mr Wilson had been riding his bike along Rotary Way, in the Faverdale area of Darlington, at around 2.20pm on Wednesday, January 11, when he died in the accident with a Honda Accord.

His death led to an outpouring of tributes to the passionate Quakers supporter, with the club dedicating a 2-0 home victory on Saturday to the lifelong fan.

Opening the inquest at County Durham and Darlington Coroner's Court in Crook today (January 20), senior assistant coroner Crispin Oliver, confirmed that Mr Wilson had been pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Mr Oliver said: “He actually died on the road while riding his bicycle and naturally, in the circumstances of his death, it was reported to me.”

He added: “A post-mortem examination has been undertaken.”

Mr Oliver was advised that it would take around three months to progress a pathology report and a Durham Police investigation into the incident.

The inquest was adjourned with the case due to be reviewed on April 18 in the Coroner’s Court in Crook’s Civic Centre.

The driver of the Honda Accord, a 53-year-old man from Shildon, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital following the incident and treated for shock.

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to call Durham Constabulary's Collision Investigation Unit on 0191-3752159.