A YORK coroner gave a stark warning to cyclists about the dangers of cycling without proper lights at the inquest of a 24-year-old postal worker killed at a busy cross road.

Catherine Hields had no lights on the front or back of her bike when she was hit by a van at on a dark winter morning in 2002.

Coroner Donald Coverdale said although it might not have contributed to the accident, having no lights was "extremely dangerous" and "rash."

He said: "I am told Miss Hields had no lights and that is rash.

"I do not know whether it contributed to the accident - possibly not. But it is extremely dangerous to ride a bike when it is dark, without lights on the front or back."

Miss Hields, from Walmgate, was killed while cycling to work at the Birch Park delivery office in Huntington Road on December 2, at 4.30am.

The inquest heard how she had been travelling down Fossway towards the junction with Huntington Road.

She had intended to turn right but instead of taking the normal route she cycled on to the pavement and round the corner leading to Somerset Road.

She then cycled back onto Huntington Road and into the path of a transit van carrying milk heading for the city centre.

The driver of the van, Keith Grant, told the court how he slammed his brakes on immediately but did not have chance to sound his horn.

He said: "I thought she was going to carry on along the footpath but she came into the path of my vehicle."

Traffic Constable Dave Foster, from Tadcaster Road Policing Group, said tests after the accident showed the vehicle was going at about 26mph.

Mr Coverdale said it was significant that Miss Hields had the hood of her coat up before the incident as it meant she had not seen the van.

He said: "Although he (Mr Grant) had seen Miss Hields he had no reason to believe she was going to go straight across his path.

"He had slowed down but with the lights in his favour he had proceeded along his way within the speed limit. Unfortunately ,Miss Hields travelled straight in front of his vehicle and the collision occurred with tragic consequences."

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

Updated: 10:14 Friday, April 09, 2004