The family of a teenage cyclist who died after a road accident with a campervan have issued a heartfelt safety warning.

Liam Ash was knocked down at the junction of Steeple Street and Hurdsfield Road in Macclesfield in May last year and died in hospital hours later.

An inquest at Macclesfield town hall heard this week that the 17-year-old who was not wearing a helmet failed to comply with the give way lines at the junction and emerged into the path of the Toyota Hyace driven by Rosalynn Price, 67.

A police investigation found the collision was unavoidable and Geoff Roberts, assistant coroner for Cheshire, concluded Liam’s death was accidental.

Afterwards Liam’s nan Maria Ash, 70, on behalf of mum Stephanie Ash and dad Darren Cash, said: “Liam was a special boy whose death left not just a hole but a crater in our lives. We do not want another family to experience the heartbreak and want to send the message urging all cyclists, especially children, to wear helmets, be visible and listen out for hazards. We want to remind motorists to be prepared for the unexpected.”

The inquest was told that at 10.45pm on May 19 Liam was riding home to his nan’s house on Hallefield Drive after spending the day with his dad

He stopped off at a friend’s house and made plans to return there after getting some food. But minutes later Liam exited Steeple Street into Hurdsfield Road in front of Mrs Price and her husband Stephen, who were returning home after spending the weekend with family in Wales.

Breaking down in tears at the hearing, Mrs Price said: “My husband suddenly shouted and there was a blur of movement from the left. The next thing there was a cyclist in front of the van and the horrible sound of metal on metal. I was hysterical.”

Mr Price said: “The cyclist was riding with intent. I saw him speed up. It was like a panicked reaction. A collision could not be avoided.”

Pc Pete McDonough, accident investigator for Cheshire Police, told the inquest: “Our conclusion is that Liam failed to comply to give way at the junction and went into the path of the Toyota. There was insufficient time for the driver to react and avoid a collision.”

Liam was a pupil at Puss Bank Primary School before moving onto Macclesfield Academy and St John’s Wood Community School, Knutsford.