A MOTORIST whose car collided with a scooter – causing its rider to die at the scene – may have been avoiding road-works, an inquest heard.

A MOTORIST whose car collided with a scooter - causing its rider to die at the scene - may have been avoiding road-works, an inquest heard.

A bus stop on the stretch of Brecknock Road, Holloway, that claimed trainee mechanic Scott Laird's life had been dug up and was about to be resurfaced, an inquest at St Pancras Coroner's Court heard on Thursday.

But what happened will remain a mystery as driver Donald Gungadoo told the hearing he did not remember leaving his lane.

Mr Laird's mother Melody Laird, 47, of the Denton Estate off Malden Crescent, Kentish Town, said: "My son was innocent. He was at the wrong place, at the wrong time."

Angela Conlan, 45, of Weedington Road, Kentish Town, the mother of Mr Laird's fiancée Kelly Casey, 21, added: "We haven't got an answer. It remains a mystery."

The accident happened last August. Mr Laird was thrown from his Piaggio and died from multiple injuries.

Mr Laird, 22, who grew up on the Denton Estate, had been staying with his fiancée in Weedington Road. They had been about to move into a flat with their daughters Casey, now three, and Molly, now two.

Mr Gungadoo, 46, a postal worker who had been on his way to work, told the inquest he did not recall going around the dug-up bus stop.

But the court heard that tyre marks suggest Mr Gungadoo is likely to have been returning from the opposite side of the road.

Police Constable Richard Clark said: "Mr Laird was heading towards the bus stop at the time of impact, which is consistent with Mr Laird trying to avoid a car on his side of the road."

Coroner Dr Andrew Reid, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Gungadoo, who lives with his wife and children in Hertfordshire, said this was his first accident in 24 years of driving. He added: "I wanted to say something to the family. I share their grief.