Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses — and information from two cyclists — following the death of a young Carlisle man in a late night collision on a city road.
An inquest has been formally opened into the death of 21-year-old Ryan Thompson on September 23.
This was reported to police at 3.48am on that date and was said to have involved an Audi car and a pedestrian at Denton Street, Denton Holme.
Emergency services attended but pedestrian Ryan, of Stanhope Road, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His devastated family paid tribute following his death and thanked people for their support. His dad said he was “kind, funny and clever” with a “smile that would light up a room and a sense of humour to match”. His mum described her son as “a kind and gentle soul who would do anything to help anyone”.
As he opened an inquest into Ryan’s death, Robert Cohen, one of Cumbria’s assistant coroners, noted he had been on a night out with friends before setting off to walk home alone in the early hours.
“CCTV then captures him sitting/lying down on the road,” said Mr Cohen. “He sits up at one point but then remains on his side apparently going to sleep and is run over by a car which did not see him in the dark and on a foggy night.”
He adjourned the inquest to a preliminary date of February 21, 2023.
In the statement released after the collision, a Cumbria police spokesman had said: “Anyone who witnessed what occurred or the moments leading up to it is urged to contact police. Officers are particularly keen to hear from two cyclists in the area shortly before the collision who may be able to assist, or from anyone who saw these cyclists.”
A spokesman confirmed this morning that this appeal was still being made.
Anyone with information can report it online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit quoting incident number 28 of 23 September; or phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
