A MAN walked into the path of a bus without looking, an inquest heard yesterday.

Horrified passengers on the Arriva single decker told an inquest held in Middlesbrough that 62-year-old David Horlick had continuously looked in the opposite direction to the oncoming bus as he stepped on to a pedestrian crossing in Middlesbrough town centre.

Passenger Linda Bint of Low Lane, Middlesbrough, said she could tell what was going to happen as both Mr Horlick and the bus, which was travelling at no more than 20mph, approached the crossing.

"When the bus reached the crossing , I instinctively knew the man was going to step out on to the crossing. I shouted: 'No, don't'.''

Police accident investigator PC Paul Hunter said: "It would appear Mr Horlick failed to observe and assess the speed of the oncoming bus when he stepped into the road and this was the cause of this tragic collision.''

Bus driver John Porter, of Allen Grove, Stokesley, said in a written statement to Cleveland Police: "He just lunged forward, straight into the path of the bus.''

Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "On the evidence available to me, it appears there was nothing he (Mr Porter) could have done to avoid the accident.''

Mr Horlick, of Linden Road, Ferryhill, County Durham, was knocked down in Wilson Street, Middlesbrough. He suffered a severe head injury and died later in hospital.

He leaves a widow, Joanne. None of his relatives attended the inquest.