A MOUNTAIN biker described as a "steady Eddie" died from massive injuries after crashing into a wall as he descended from Darwen Tower.

An inquest heard that Russell Hewitt was found by state enrolled nurse Janet Heath who was out walking her dog.

But despite her quickly raising the alarm and making frantic efforts to resuscitate Mr Hewitt he died at the side of the track leading to Earnshaw reservoir.

Mr Hewitt, 31, of Cardigan Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, had gone for a ride with workmate Marvin Blades, of Hargreaves Road, Oswaldtwistle.

Mr Blades described his friend as a "steady Eddie" who would not go too fast on downhill runs. "He was a bit more careful than me," said Mr Blades.

On August 8, the two had put their bikes in the back of a works van and driven up to Sunnyhurst Woods. Mr Blades told how they cycled through the woods and eventually up to Darwen Tower, a route they had taken several times before. Mr Blades was in front and at one stage shouted back to his friend that he would see him back at the van. Mr Hewitt never got that far, crashing into a stone wall at the side of Tockholes Road near to Earnsdale reservoir.

Mrs Heath, of Earnsdale Avenue, Darwen, told the inquest she had been walking her dog when she suddenly came upon a cyclist lying on his side.

She said she was not sure if she could feel a very faint pulse but the body was still warm. She ran to Waterman's Cottage and raised the alarm before running back to where Mr Hewitt was lying.

By this time there was no pulse and Mrs Heath made the decision that, whatever injuries had been suffered, she could not do any more harm and began resuscitation procedures.

Accident investigator, Stephen Wilson, said the incident had occurred on a sharp bend which came at the end of a downhill stretch of road. There was lose gravel in the road and a mark had been found which had been caused by the rear wheel of Mr Hewitt's bike locking.

PC Wilson said that once the rear wheel locked, Mr Hewitt would have little directional control and it appeared he had slid into the wall without coming off the bike.

A post mortem examination revealed numerous fractured ribs and Mr Hewitt's lungs had collapsed.

Deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton said Mr Hewitt had died as a result of a freak accident and recorded a verdict of accidental death.