Inquest opens into death of club stalwart

Father-of-two Neil Hunter, 47, was cycling along Doncaster Road towards Crofton at around 7.45am on Thursday, February 25.

He was struck by a Ford transit van, which was turning right at Oakenshaw Lane.

Coroner David Hinchliff said: “In doing so, the vehicle has turned in front of the bicycle, causing a collision with the side of the bike and causing Mr Hunter to suffer serious head injuries.”

Paramedics pronounced Mr Hunter, of Towers Lane, Crofton, dead at the scene at 7.54am.

A provisional report into his death, following a post mortem examination, suggests Mr Hunter, a company director, died as a result of injuries “consistent of being obtained in a road traffic collision”.

Mr Hunter, originally born in Edinburgh, leaves behind his wife Julie and two sons Ross, 20, and Greg, 18.

The short hearing yesterday morning was adjourned pending the outcome of further investigations.

Mr Hunter was well-known in the footballing community as secretary of Crofton Junior Football Club.

And last week, fellow clubs, officials and players, paid tribute to him, describing him as the “lifeblood” of the club.

Gordon Makin, the former treasurer of Crofton Juniors, knew Mr Hunter, who spent over a decade as secretary, for more than 30 years.

He said: “He was one of the lifebloods of the club and he’ll be very sadly missed.”

Crofton Juniors, which has more than 180 young members, held a minute’s silence in honour of Mr Hunter at a recent football match.