A PENSIONER, described by family as a ‘lovely man’, died after being hit by a car, an inquest heard.

Jack Parkinson, 86, had attended a remembrance service shortly before he was struck by a Toyota Aygo, as he went to cross Halifax Road in Brierfield on November 11 last year.

Mr Parkinson, from Burnley, suffered serious head injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary, but he died there three days later.

The hearing in Preston was told how Mr Parkinson had been walking back with friends from the remembrance service when the incident happened.

The inquest heard that Mr Parkinson was struck as he crossed close to the junction of Burnley Road and Halifax Road.

PC Hilton, of the Lancashire Police collision investigation unit, said that Mr Parkinson would not have reached the middle of the road when he was hit.

The driver of the car, Rhys Bennett, who said he was turning right onto Halifax Road, told the inquest that he had not seen Mr Parkinson until he had hit him.

Dr Phillip Lunn, a Home Office pathologist, said the medical cause of Mr Parkinson’s death was a head injury.

Recording a conclusion that Mr Parkinson died following a road traffic collision, East Lancashire assistant coroner Richard Taylor, said: “Mr Parkinson died on November 14, 2018, from injuries sustained on November 11, 2018, when he was struck by a motor vehicle as he attempted to cross Halifax Road in Brierfield.”

In a tribute following his death, Mr Parkinson’s daughter, Lesley Penrose said he dad was a proud, independent man who in no way looked or acted his 86 years.

She said: “He had a great sense of humour and drove us all mad with his silly jokes.

“He loved nothing more than to be with his family and his friends.

“He was always involved in something; whether this was building walls with his best mate, doing work at church or spending the day at Blackpool Tower watching the ballroom dancing and listening to the organ.

“My dad was always saying “I’ve been busy this week” and he was probably right.

“In fact he was a great baker having picked up the necessary skills from my mum before she died. He made a great cheese and onion pie!

She added: “Jack, my dad, was a lovely man and it goes without saying that he will be greatly missed.”