Abigail Haythorne died when she was knocked down by her car while riding on her bike and listening to her MP3 player; she couldn’t hear the car coming.

The driver of the car, Christopher Mills, explained that the 17-year-old girl road in front of his car without warning, from the safety of the cycle lane.

I knew there was a cyclist there but I did not expect her to come straight out.

As soon as I saw her come out I put the brakes on and steered to the right. All I know is that I hit the brakes hard.

Abigail was declared dead at the scene.

Thames Valley Police’s PC Gavin Newman discovered that the teenager had been listening to her iPod, which was still switched on and playing in her pocket.

PC Mark Howard explained at the inquest:

Later on, we found that the display light was illuminated. Her earphones were found tucked inside her neck scarf.

Christopher Mills had been travelling around 45mph when he collided with Abigail, which was within the speed limit. PC Howard told the inquest that had Abigail been listening she would have easily heard the car coming.

Mr Gardiner, the coroner for the incident, warned of the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians when listening to MP3 players and iPods while out on the road.

Miss Haythorne died as a result of an accident in that she was struck by a car.

Whether she could see the car coming we do not know, it is possible that she was wearing headphones at the time.

I would urge cyclists to reserve their hearing and not to use their earphones while using the roads.