THE death of a teacher who was knocked down by a van when he stepped out from behind a bus in York was a "timely warning" of the dangers of crossing roads, the city's coroner said.

Roderick Kean, 41, died from multiple injuries as a result of the accident in Clifton Moorgate, near the Clifton Moor Tesco store, in August last year.

Coroner Donald Coverdale told an inquest that it was a "terrible accident" which the van driver had no chance of avoiding. "This case highlights the dangers of crossing the road in the presence of other vehicles on the road."

He said: "There is a common warning given to children, of course, about crossing the road after alighting from school buses, but all pedestrians can be at danger. This case serves as a timely warning to all of us to take care when crossing roads because the road users were driving their vehicles in a perfectly proper manner.

"There is no question of excessive speed or blame being attributed to the driver."

In a statement read to the inquest Deborah Maude, of Eason View, York, said she saw Mr Kean attempt to flag down the bus before trying to cross the road behind it as it turned right into Oakdale Road.

She said Mr Kean was flung across the road when he collided with the front offside corner of the oncoming white van.

Mr Kean, of Ilkley, later died in York District Hospital from serious internal injuries, including damage to his heart and fractures of the pelvis and also a leg.

Accident investigator PC Mick Natt said tests revealed that the van had been travelling at no more than than 34mph in a 40mph zone and was in a good condition.

He said: "The bus acted as a screen between the driver of the van and the deceased - neither being able to see each other."

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Updated: 11:49 Thursday, November 07, 2002