A CANCER survivor who spoke out after being injured by a cyclist died of a paracetamol overdose, an inquest heard.

Barry Gough, of Nelson Street, Oxford, was recovering from bowel cancer when he was struck by a hit-and-run rider on a pedestrian crossing in Walton Street, in May last year.

The 54-year-old former soldier told the Oxford Mail he was left with two hernias after the accident and called on police to improve safety at the crossing.

On Wednesday, Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Gough died in the John Radcliffe Hospital on January 30 this year.

His death was found to have been due to liver failure caused by a mixture of alcohol and paracetamol.

Despite his history of medical problems Mr Gough had worked as an heavy goods vehicle driver until he lost his job not long before his death.

His GP Dr Laurence Bradley Leaver said in a statement to the inquest that this had left him depressed and contemplating suicide.

But Coroner Darren Salter said toxicology results showed he had been drinking and may have taken an overdose by accident.

He said: “Suicide is a verdict to consider, but that requires more to be sure that someone has intended to take their own life and the evidence here falls short.”

Mr Salter recorded an open verdict.