Childhood friends died cycling home from pub crawl

Edward Trudgill (left) and Daniel Macdonald (right) died from multiple injuries caused by a road traffic collision

Two childhood friends who died after being hit by a car were cycling home from a pub crawl, a coroner's court heard.

Edward Trudgill and Daniel Macdonald, both 39, were struck by a red Mini on the A143 Bungay Road at Billingford, near Diss, Norfolk, shortly after 21:20 BST on 27 August 2023.

Their inquests at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard Mr Trudgill had likely fallen off his electric bike and was lying in the road. Mr Macdonald had gone back to help his friend when they were hit.

Mr Trudgill's family said he was a "kind and caring man", while in a separate tribute Mr Macdonald's family said he would remain "the most fun grown-up in the world".

Area coroner Samantha Goward concluded that both men died as a result of multiple injuries from a road traffic collision.

The court heard the men, from Brockdish, had been friends since the age of four and on the day of the crash had been riding between local pubs earlier that day.

A written submission from Steve Thompson, a friend who had been on the pub crawl, said the men were "hilarious" that day and in "good form".

Ms Goward said it was likely when riding home from the "cycling tour" Mr Trudgill came off his bike and was lying on the road, which had no street lights.

She added it was likely Mr Macdonald got off his bike, "trying to protect his friend when he was struck by one car and pushed into the path of another".

Ms Goward said there was nothing either driver could have done.

The court heard the pair were wearing helmets but no high-visibility clothing.

It was believed Edward Trudgill fell off his electric bike and was lying on the road

A post-mortem examination showed both men were more than two-and-a-half times over the legal limit for drink driving. Mr Trudgill had a blood alcohol level of 227mg - in England, the limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

In a tribute, Mr Trudgill's family said he had been "taken away from us way too soon".

They described him as a "much-loved son, brother, father, husband and friend".

"He touched so many people, just a lovely, kind and caring man," a statement said.

A tribute from the family of Mr Macdonald said he "enriched his family's lives with nothing but love, kindness, fun and happiness".

It said: "We shall miss him and remember him with love every day. Dan was, and always will be, a much-loved member of our family.

"He was always willing to help friends and family whenever asked.

"We're so proud of him and everything that he achieved. He has always been, and will remain, "the most fun grown-up in the world".

A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving, but Norfolk Police said no further action would be taken.