AN inquest has heard details of the final moments of a pensioner who died after being hit by a car outside Warrington Hospital.

Francis Melia, from Orford, was crossing Lovely Lane on his way to an appointment at the hospital when he was run over and suffered a serious head injury.

Warrington Coroners Court heard this week that the 84-year-old had taken the number 16 bus to the hospital, where he was due to attend a check-up in relation to his prescribed medication, on the afternoon of February 20 2019.

Warrington Guardian:

Mr Melia, of McKee Avenue, got off the bus and was crossing the road at the pedestrian island near to Houghtons Funeral Directors shortly after 1.30pm when he was struck by a white BMW.

The great-granddad, who had been married for nearly 60 years, was rushed to Aintree Hospital, where it was discovered he had suffered a bleed and bruising on the brain – his head having hit the road after the collision.

A retired drayman, Mr Melia died in hospital a week later.

Motorist Phillip Cragg, from Great Sankey, told police on the scene that he had turned left out of the Texaco garage on Lovely Lane after filling up with fuel, and was putting coins into a compartment next to his gear stick when he saw Mr Melia step into the road.

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Crash investigators estimated that Mr Cragg's vehicle was travelling at around 22mph at the time of the accident.

He was not called to give evidence to the inquest, having made no comment when interviewed by police over the incident.

Peter Sigee, assistant coroner for Cheshire, told the court: "There is little to be gained by asking Mr Cragg to attend today.

"Given how he has responded to the police investigation into the incident so far, I'm not minded to call him to give evidence."

Warrington Guardian:

Mr Sigee recorded a conclusion of death by road traffic accident on Monday.

Tributes were paid to Mr Melia in the wake of his passing last year.

In a statement, daughter Sarah Anders said: "Dad was an active and independent 84-year-old man who lived life to the full – he leaves behind a wife of 59 years, three daughters, five granddaughters, a grandson and six great-grandchildren, as well as a gaping hole in our hearts.

"He was taken from us so suddenly and unexpectedly and he is sadly missed by us all."