This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

British ultra-endurance cycling star Mike Hall died almost instantly from massive head injuries when a driver with a provisional licence hit him at 100km/h (62mph), an inquest has been told.

Shegu Bobb, from Cooma, who was 19 at the time, was on his way to work in Canberra, Australia’s national capital, on 31 March 2017 when his car hit Hall on the Monaro Highway in darkness at 6.22am.

Known as one of the best ultra-endurance riders in the world, Hall was running second in the inaugural Indian Pacific Wheel Race – a single-stage unsupported 5,500km event from Fremantle to Sydney.

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An inquest on Monday heard Hall, 35, was wearing dark clothing, with limited reflective qualities.

Bobb told police he initially thought he had hit a kangaroo and had suffered significant shock and distress after the incident. He had his headlights on low beam as he approached an intersection where the incident happened.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Anna Haslock (left), Mike Hall’s partner, arrives at the inquest into his death on Monday. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Police recreations showed the bike was “virtually indistinguishable” in the dark, with the rear red light on Hall’s bicycle difficult to see. But documentary footage played in court showed Hall and another cyclist more easily visible as they raced at night.

Bobb was travelling at the speed limit of 100km/h when he hit Hall, who was on the correct side of the road, which had a narrow verge. Counsel assisting the coroner, Ken Archer, said the race had been described as a gruelling test and likened to the “Hunger Games on wheels”.

An autopsy found Hall died almost instantly from major head, spinal and abdominal injuries. “The bike was effectively impaled on the front of the car,” Archer said.

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Senior Constable Adam Potts was questioned about a saddle bag with a reflective strip on the back of Hall’s bicycle. Potts said he would not describe the strip as illuminating but agreed the bag had been on the bike.

The inquest heard Bobb had seen a truck parked in an unusual place on the Monaro Highway. When he refocused on the road, he saw something briefly but had no time to avoid what he believed was an animal.

No charges have been laid. Counsel assisting will not be recommending to the coroner to refer the matter to prosecutors.

Hall’s death sent shock waves across the global cycling community, with thousands of riders taking part in tribute events in Australian cities, including one at the Sydney Opera House where the race was due to finish.

Hall’s mother, Patricia, travelled to Australia to attend the three-day inquest, as did his partner Anna Haslock.

The inquest continues.