THE SON of a pensioner who died after a collision with a car as he was cycling home says he is seeking legal advice to get answers surrounding his death.

An inquest heard yesterday how 67-year-old Raymond Gardner, of Apollo Way, Blackwood, was killed after being struck by a Ford Fiesta driven by William John Garland.

Mr Garland was facing a charge of dangerous driving but this was thrown out of Newport crown court in October, 2003 because insufficient evidence.

Mr Garland's son, also called Ray, said that the key issue was proving whether Mr Garland was wearing a reflective jacket that the lights on his bicycle were working.

After the hearing, Mr Garland said that the family was now taking legal advice.

The inquest in Newport yesterday heard from witnesses saying that Mr Gardner was wearing his jacket and that his bicycle lights were working as he cycled along the north-bound carriageway of the A467.

The keen cyclist had been returning from the Evergreen Social Club in Malpas shortly after 10pm on April 9 last year. The accident happened less than a mile past the Rogerstone intersection.

The inquest heard that Mr Garland who, according to accident investigators was driving at 65mph and who it was said did not break before impact, told a police officer that he did not see Mr Gardner at all as he drove home at the end of a shift at the Asda superstore in Duffryn. Pc Jonathan Jeffries told the inquest: "Mr Garland said 'I was in the left lane and the next thing I knew I heard and felt a bang and I brought my car to a stop.

"'When I did I noticed my windscreen was caved-in at the top left hand corner.'"

Despite the efforts of a passing doctor who tried to resuscitate Mr Gardner before emergency services arrived, he died of multiple injuries at the scene.

Richard Bender, a motorist who was driving to Bassaleg on the south-bound carriageway that night and passed Mr Gardner before the collision, said he was wearing a jacket with reflective strips and was "clearly visible from the front."

The coat, which was found on the ground beside Mr Gardner's body, had become detached on impact because of its popper fasteners, according to accident investigator Pc Keith Rich.

"In my opinion, the cyclist was wearing a jacket and had two, possibly three lights on the back of his bicycle," said Pc Rich.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Gwent coroner David Bowen said: "I'm satisfied that Mr Garland did not see Mr Gardner and did not intentionally collide with his bicycle and, therefore, when he died it was as a result of an unintended act."