the legal amount of alcohol in his blood, an inquest was told yesterday.

Herbert Nigel Butterfield was travelling at 67 kph when his cycle struck the car at the junction of Cavendish Road and Hibiscus Lane last December 13.

Coroner Mr. Edward Bailey ruled the death was accidental after hearing evidence yesterday.

He expressed sympathy to the victim's mother and warned motorists of the dangers of drunk driving.

Pathologist Dr. John Winwick said Butterfield died of head and neck injuries at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital as a result of the accident.

He added that the high level of alcohol in the victim's blood and urine indicated he was under the influence of alcohol with the result that Butterfield's ability to drive would have been impaired.

Government analyst Dr. Alan Young said Butterfield drank the equivalent of seven cans of beer before the accident.

A woman who was traveling behind Butterfield, said she remembered seeing a man overtake her on a cycle on Middle Road on the way into Hamilton traveling at about 55 or 60 kph.

"His feet were on the gear case and his legs were hunched up underneath him,'' Mellone Wescom said in her statement to Police. She said no brake lights went on before he struck the car and flew over the top.

Witnesses travelling towards St. George's did not see Butterfield hit the car but described seeing him lying on his back, barefoot and with no helmet. The helmet was discovered lying nearby.

P.c. Ferdinand Thorne said Butterfield's auxiliary cycle, which became embedded in the rear of the car on impact, was in good repair before the accident and the brakes functioned well.

Investigating officer Sgt. Philip Taylor said the roads were adequately lit and Butterfield either misjudged the distance or did not see the car.

He recommended stepping up campaigns against drinking and driving.