A SCHOOL matron who was cycling on the A30 towards Shaftesbury died when a car overtook her so closely that she lost control, fell off her bike and was then hit by another car as it came round the corner, an inquest heard.

Elizabeth Potter, 60, was head of care at Knighton House School in Durweston and died near Donhead St Mary at around 5.30pm on August 15, 2015.

The inquest at Salisbury Coroner’s Court today (Tuesday) heard Miss Potter was a keen cyclist, cycling several times a week and knew the roads and lanes around Shaftesbury very well.

The driver of a blue Honda Civic travelling behind the vehicle told the court he had been travelling around 40mph to 45mph and was about four car lengths from the vehicle in front which had not indicated, braked or moved from its lane.

He said he suddenly became aware of a cyclist on the passenger side, saw she was coming off her bike and swung his car as far right as he could to avoid her before pulling up and running back to the cyclist.

The inquest heard there was no damage to the bike and there had had been no contact between the bike and his car.

CCTV footage from a garage 300 yards from the accident showed a vehicle driving past at the time that was “possibly a 4x4” but the footage was not clear enough to be able to identify it and police said that despite witness appeals, they had been unable to trace the owner.

In recording a verdict of road traffic collision, coroner David Ridley said: “It is more likely than not an unknown vehicle passing Elizabeth did not allow sufficient room and although there was no actual contact the close proximity caused Elizabeth to lose control and fall off her bike and into the road.

“The unknown vehicle has to date not been tracked. As a consequence of falling into the road, Elizabeth was struck by a blue Honda Civic which was following behind the unknown vehicle and was unable to take any avoiding action. Elizabeth sustained multiple injuries and was confirmed dead at the scene by attending paramedics.”

Drivers who stopped included a nurse who helped with first aid while others directed traffic.