Cyclist in accident hit by second car just moments later

A cyclist who had stopped to exchange details with a driver after a collision was fatally struck by another car moments later.

Stan Coates, 55, from West Herrington, Sunderland, died in hospital after being knocked down in Burdon Lane, Sunderland, on Friday afternoon.

Northumbria Police said he had been exchanging details with the driver of a Vauxhall Corsa when he was struck by a similar car near Doxford Park.

Detectives issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward after stating that Mr Coates had spoken to two men in a grey van after the first collision.

They said the drivers of the van had claimed to know and live near Mr Coates and took his bicycle away to return it to his family.

But yesterday the bicycle had not been returned and detectives issued an appeal to trace the drivers.

Mr Coates was flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. Snow prevented a landing at a hospital in Newcastle.

No arrests have been made.

The 24-year-old driver in the first collision suffered minor injuries.