The driver of a car which killed a father-of-two in Lewisham has apologised to his widow but said he ‘can’t be held accountable’.

Cyclist Paul Hutcheson, 42, died after being struck by a red Audi along Loampit Vale on June 24 2013.

The air-conditioning engineer, who lived on the Horn Park Estate on the Lee border, was taken to Kings College Hospital where he died from his injuries the next day.

At his inquest today (September 2), his wife Amanda and his parents had to leave the room several times as evidence was given.

Mrs Hutcheson, whose daughter and son were just 11 and 15 when their father died, said: “If it hadn’t been Paul it would have been someone else.

“He was in a high-vis jacket, what if it had been a mum?

“That morning he was going to work in the city. He didn’t wear a helmet, he was losing his hair and it made him sweat.

“You see these things on Facebook, but they’re not just a cyclist they’re people’s family. They stole someone’s dad. They’re someone’s loved one not just a number.

“I think changes are underway. Its two years too late but it might stop someone else going through it.”

It is believed Mr Hutcheson, who was not wearing a helmet, was making a right hand turn down a no entry road commonly used as a cut through to access a contra flow cycle path on the other side.

Eyewitnesses gave evidence at Southwark Coroners Court describing hearing a ‘loud pop’ before seeing Mr Hutcheson go flying.

Jacob Brown, a recruitment consultant, was ‘the other cyclist’ – a fellow rider who was about level with Mr Hutcheson at the traffic lights after following him for a mile and a half.

He said: “He seemed to ride confidently. As I was going through the junction I saw a red Audi, it looked like it sped up to get through the junction.

“I heard a horrible crunch, I stopped and turned around and saw the cyclist I had been following fly in the air.

“Then the cyclist hit the ground. I haven’t been able to ride since.”

MORE TOP STORIES Chris Adakpor, the Audi driver who initially did not stop at the scene but was found a short distance away, said: “Obviously what happened is very sad. The family have suffered, I have suffered. I lost my sanity.

“I wish I could take back that day and give it back to you. It’s been two years and I haven’t gone back to normality.

"It’s a very sad thing, I just can’t be held accountable for it. I shouldered it for a long while."

Police gave evidence at the inquest stating Adakpor was clocked driving between 42-45 mph along a 30 mph road just 230 yards from the scene of the crash, but he insisted he was ‘within the speed limit’ at the time of the smash.

Other evidence suggested Mr Hutcheson was travelling at 15 mph.

PC Matthew McCormack also revealed there was a two second delay in the traffic lights on one side.

He said: “The traffic lights didn’t change in sequence. I was surprised there was a delay, I was expecting them to be simultaneous.”

Transport for London (TfL) could not explain why there was a delay, but fixed the lights that same day.

Summing up Coroner Shanta Deonarine concluded Mr Hutcheson died from multiple injuries caused by a road traffic collision.

The deceased suffered serious head injuries and some spine and abdominal injuries in the accident.

Summing up coroner Deonarine said: “[He went] straight into the path of a vehicle. There was a collision and as a result he sustained multiple injuries.

Adakpor pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in respect of him leaving the scene. A previous charge, causing death by dangerous driving, was ordered to lie on file.

He was disqualified from driving at Woolwich Crown Court on May 23 for 12 months, had his license endorsed and must pass another driving test.