A cyclist who died following a collision with a car on a dark, rain-drenched country road had been warned by police just days earlier to get lights for his bike.

Samuel Fleming, 16, of Latchford Lane, Great Haseley, was killed on the A329 as he was cycling home from work at the Asda store, in Wheatley, on November 11 last year.

Oxford Coroner's Court heard that witnesses who saw Samuel cycling along the road before the accident said he did not have lights on his bike.

They also said that visibility on the road was poor as it was dark, the road was not lit and it was raining heavily.

The former Watlington Community School pupil collided with a Ford Focus estate near the turning to Great Haseley.

He was thrown from his bike on to the car bonnet and then off the road. He was pronounced dead from brain damage the following day at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

Pc Richard Pribyl said he had warned a cyclist, who police believe was Samuel, travelling along the same road for riding without lights or a helmet a few days before the accident, and had given him a lift home. He added: "I gave him strong advice and warned him about the dangers of cycling without any lights in the dark. He thanked me for the advice and said he had lights at home."

Ford Focus driver Paul Herbert, of Lyneham Road, Bicester, who was driving home with his wife from work in Chalgrove, said he had seen Samuel on the edge of the road and moved towards the centre line to avoid him, but then Samuel veered to the right.

Mr Herbert said: "Although I tried to turn out there was just no way I could avoid him and I made contact at the front nearside of the car.

"I spoke to his father when he arrived at the accident scene and he said 'did he have lights on his bike? I've been telling him for ages to get lights on his bike.'"

Collision investigator PC Terry Anderson said although Samuel may have been wearing a reflective jacket, it would have been obscured from behind by his rucksack.

It was also believed that Samuel had been listening to music at the time of the accident as his CD player and headphones were found near the collision spot.

Mr Herbert, to whom no blame was attributed, added: "Had Samuel been wearing a helmet or lights on his bike he would have been more visible and the situation would have been different, but unfortunately there was no way I could have avoided him and I'm sorry."

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of accidental death.