A York man died two months after an accident in which he rode his cycle into the path of a van, an inquest heard.

Robert Snodgrass, of Arundel Grove, was in hospital recovering from the accident on the A64 when he developed a serious lung disorder and died.

The accident happened on November 7 last year near Stockton-on-the-Forest as Mr Snodgrass, an electrical engineer, was travelling home from work.

Despite being a dark and wet night Mr Snodgrass had been forced to use his bicycle to get to work because his car had broken down on the morning of the accident.

The inquest, held at Pickering magistrates court, heard that the 58-year-old developed bronchopneumonia caused by distress to his lungs brought on as a result of the accident. He died on January 19.

Dr John White, of York District Hospital, gave written evidence that soon after being transferred from St James's Hospital, in Leeds, the deceased began hallucinating - a result of his illness.

"At times he became distressed because he thought there were rats running across his legs," he said.

"He had been traumatised by his time in intensive care - he made quite good progress but then on January 19 he began hallucinating and at around midnight he was found collapsed in a bathroom and was pronounced dead."

The inquest also heard evidence about the accident, as van driver Oliver Richardson said he was driving along the A64 towards York at about 5.30pm when a collision occurred between his vehicle and Mr Snodgrass.

"I was aware there was a cyclist but as I neared him he pulled out in front of me," he said.

His passenger, Peter Falgate, of Fulford Road, York, confirmed Mr Snodgrass had pulled out in front of the van.

"The bike seemed to be caught up underneath the van," he said.

"When we stopped I got out and went to see if he was all right - another motorist had stopped and was asking him questions and he was conscious."

Police accident investigator David Foster said it was believed the deceased had swerved into the van's path to avoid riding into the verge.

"There were marks indicating he had hit the verge slightly and he may have tried to overcompensate by pulling out into the road," he said.

Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Updated: 10:49 Friday, June 01, 2001