A TROUBLED man died after he “dived” in front of a bus in Colchester, an inquest ruled.

39-year-old Michael Byles was under the influence of drugs when he was run over by the rear wheels of a 64 First Bus on Hythe Hill.

He spent two days in intensive care at Addenbrookes Hospital, following the crash on April 6, but died as a result of his injuries.

Essex Coroners’ Court yesterday heard Mr Byles had been in Clacton visiting friends when he became agitated.

He left with a friend for Colchester and while on Hythe Hill he got out of his friend’s car and stood at the side of the footpath, at about 10am.

Coroner’s officer Debbie Frost said: “As the bus passed Mr Byles commenced a dive towards the bus, diving at the road surface.”

The bus driver swerved and braked, doing all he could, but Mr Byles went under the wheels.

He was cared for by paramedics on the path but later died from a pulmonary embolism due to pelvic injuries.

Accident investigator PC Steve Perrett said the bus driver was travelling at 15mph on the 30mph single carriageway.

PC Perrett added: “Mr Byles was under the influence of drugs, standing on the nearside ahead of the bus and dove into the road in its path.”

Senior Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open verdict after ruling out suicide or accident.

“We shall never quite know what was going on his mind before he seemed to dive,” she said.

Mr Byles has connections to Colchester, Frinton, Walton, Clacton, Basildon and Laindon.