Teacher died after a taxi door opened as he cycled past sending him flying into the path of an oncoming van
Tragic 26-year-old was killed in horror smash on his birthday
A TEACHER died while cycling down the road after a taxi door swung open and knocked him into the path of an oncoming van, an inquest heard.
Gifted artist Sam Boulton was killed in the horror smash on his 26th birthday outside Leicester railway station last Wednesday.
The popular graphics teacher smashed into the Citroen Relay van after a woman in a stopped taxi opened her door and knocked him off his bike.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and took Sam to hospital but he was declared dead later that day.
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A 49-year-old man was arrested shortly after the crash on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has since been released on police bail.
Mr Boulton's grieving dad Jeff has thanked the public for their well-wishes, and said: "We would like to thank you all for your kind wishes, love and support for our beautiful son, brother and fiance."
Detective Sergeant Mark Partridge of Leicestershire Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "At about 1.20pm on July 27, outside the railway station in London Road, a collision occurred between a taxi that was parked at the side of the road, a peddle cycle being ridden by Sam Boulton and a Citroen van in lane two of the A6.
"As the passenger in the taxi opened her door, this caused a collision with the cycle.
"It knocked the cyclist off, and he then collided with the van and, unfortunately, sustained fatal injuries.
"He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he passed away on the same day."
A post-mortem examination had been held and pathologist Guy Rutty was awaiting blood test results before reaching a conclusion about the exact cause of death, an inquest heard.
Lydia Brown, assistant coroner for Leicester, said the tests could take "a few weeks".
The inquest will be put on hold while the police and Crown Prosecution Service decide whether to charge anyone in connection with the death.
Hundreds of tributes have since poured in for the much-loved teacher, who taught at Castle Rock High School, in Coalville, Leics.
Hundreds of tributes have since poured in for the much-loved teacher, who taught at Castle Rock High School, in Coalville, Leics.
Two days after Sam, of Wigston, Leics, died, 80 members of the Critical Mass cycling group did a "bike lift" outside the railway station to raise awareness of the lack of cycle lanes.
Dozens of bouquets have been left outside Castle Rock High School with more in London Road, where the crash happened.
One youngster left flowers outside the school with the message: "You made my year a lot of fun. Your football coaching was amazing.
"Now you're gone I'm going to miss you. I'm crying every night and day. I wish you hadn't died.
"You are an amazing person and you always will be. I will make sure we win our matches just for you."
Tributes also appeared on social media, left by stunned pupils, struggling to come to terms with the death of their teacher.
Lauren Storer wrote: "Well sad saying good bye to a great graphics teacher at castle rock xx I am really going to miss him xx RIP Mr Boulton x fly high."
Another well-wisher, Sarah Jane, from Whitwick, posted: "RIP to Mr Boulton and condolences to his family and friends a trainee teacher from Castle Rock what a tragic shocking accident in Leicester yesterday.
"He was Cam's form mentor when he was there and had his life taken far too soon, seemed a lovely young man how awfully sad."
In another Facebook tribute, Tim J Fowler said: "RIP Sam Boulton you were an absolute legend and an amazing artist!
"Such a tragedy."
The inquest will resume at a date yet to be fixed.