A MAN who had been drinking cider while entertaining friends at his home in Monarch Road, Eaton Socon, was killed when he was hit by a car on the A1 on December 2 last year. An inquest in Huntingdon on Thursday heard that Martin Jonathan Winfield, 21, who

A MAN who had been drinking cider while entertaining friends at his home in Monarch Road, Eaton Socon, was killed when he was hit by a car on the A1 on December 2 last year.

An inquest in Huntingdon on Thursday heard that Martin Jonathan Winfield, 21, who suffered from oculocutaneous albinism, which meant he had poor eyesight, had spent the early evening with two friends.

All three went out for a walk to a shop at about 6.30pm.

One of the friends, a youth aged 17, told the inquest that as they walked along Monarch Road, Martin was unsteady on his feet. He had pulled him out of the road a couple of times.

The witness said he had gone slightly ahead to talk to their friend when Martin went across the grass towards the A1 into the bushes. He saw him adjust his belt so he thought he might have needed to go to the toilet.

The witness said he lost sight of Martin and then heard a thud. He did not hear a screech of brakes but he did see flashing lights.

The inquest heard that Martin was killed instantly in a collision with a BMW. The driver of the vehicle, Christopher Simpson, an accountant from London, said he had not seen Martin until his car hit him and that he had no chance to take avoiding action.

Another witness, Timothy Russell from Stevenage, told the inquest he had seen a figure walking slowly across the A1 as if he were walking along a pavement. He was wearing a hood and dark clothing.

Coroner Dr Colin Lattimore recorded a verdict of accidental death.