THE reasons behind the death of a boxer who was hit by a lorry in Bicester might never be known, an inquest heard.

Leigh Horne died from his injuries after the incident in Middleton Stoney Road on January 4.

The inquest heard the 30-year-old member of Oxford Boxing Academy may have intentionally jumped in front of the lorry.

But Oxfordshire Coroner Darren Salter yesterday recorded an open verdict, because he could not be sure the 30-year-old, who had previously attempted suicide, had intended to take his own life.

Witnesses said Mr Horne, who was bi-polar, jumped in front of the lorry, but his mental health nurse said she had seen him the day before and he was upbeat.

The hearing in Oxford was told Mr Horne tried to take his life in 2010 and had spoken of jumping in front of vehicles last year.

Student Thomas Wainwright said he was walking towards Mr Horne and that he “jumped or leaped out into the road”.

He added: “He leaped out at what seemed to be the perfect second to be hit by the lorry.”

Lorry driver Duncan Judd said he noticed Mr Horne standing on the pavement and moved his vehicle away from the kerb.

He said: “He lifted his head and looked up towards me. His eyes locked with mine, which drew my attention to him. He made a sudden movement into the road directly in front of my lorry, which I find difficult to explain.”

Mr Horne, of Wensum Crescent, in Bicester, had met community nurse Jennifer Bridewell the day before his death.

She said: “When I saw him on January 3 I had known Leigh for 18 months and his presentation was nowhere near as low as the previous January.”

She said he had been “very open” about his suicidal thoughts in the past but did not express any such feelings this time.

Mrs Bridewell added she had once seen Mr Horne dart across a road “without properly looking” while he was jogging.

Mr Salter recorded an open verdict and said: “In most verdicts it’s [decided] on the balance of probability.

“There are a couple of exceptions, one of which is suicide, where I have to certain about that, beyond reasonable doubt.

“If I was deciding this case on the balance of probability I would certainly consider a verdict of suicide, but I’m not deciding it on that basis.”