Fisherman Henry Corea died in a freak road accident last year after a truck driver lost control of his vehicle and skidded across St. John's Road.

In a statement after the accident, the truck driver, Albert Suragh told Police he was traveling between "25 to 30'' miles per hour east on Spanish Point Road.

He was tested by Police after the accident for impaired driving and passed the breathanalysis.

In a statement, he admitted to having one beer earlier that afternoon. Lawyer Michael Scott appeared in court, telling Coroner William Francis he had a "watching brief'' for Mr. Suragh.

Mr. Corea was not found to have alcohol in his system after an autopsy, which also revealed internal injuries and broken ribs but no skull fracture.

Mr. Suragh, 36, of Paget, told Mr. Francis he drove slowly on April 24, at 6.45 p.m., because there was a "drizzle'' early that evening and added that as he negotiated a sharp bend he applied the brakes.

The truck began to slide into the opposite lane and Mr. Suragh "stood on the brake much more to try and stop the truck''.

There was a collision with an approaching cycle and he got out of the truck to help the injured rider.

"I just want to truly say that I'm sorry for what I've done,'' he added. "I (slided) about ten feet before the impact. The truck stopped on impact.'' Schoolteacher Rachel Smith came upon the accident scene and found that Mr.

Corea was alive.

She began to examine him and began to give him CPR when he lost some vital signs.

"I began treating him for shock and I asked someone to check for a pulse,'' she said. "He was struggling for air. Then he was no longer gasping for air and that's when I started CPR.'' She continued: "After five breaths, he began to cough. That's when I gave him mouth to mouth. Then his girlfriend came and she was shocked because when I looked up I was covered in blood. I asked her to talk to him softly.'' Ms Smith added: "He was going in and out of consciousness when I was treating him.'' Senior Police traffic accident investigator Tyrone Smith said "dampness'' on the road may have contributed to the accident as well as "negative super-elevation'' of the road contributed to the fatal skid.

An accident investigator for 23 years, Insp. Smith explained the slope of the road was downward for Mr. Suragh as he turned "which would increase the chances of loss of control''.

Mr. Francis ruled Mr. Corea died of internal injuries as a result of the collision.

He said: "It's my verdict that I find that more likely than not Mr. Corea died at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital around 7.40 p.m. from several internal injuries which were the result of a traffic accident.

"He was riding a motorcycle which collided with a truck on St. John's Road,'' he added. "That's pretty straightforward. I want to extend my condolences to the friends and relatives of this gentleman.''