Steve Chamberlain - Mike Lynch’s fraud trial co-defendant - died from head injury after being hit by car, inquest hears

Stephen Chamberlain, an associate of tech tycoon Mike Lynch, died in hospital three days after a car crested a humpback bridge and struck him while he was out running in Stretham, an inquest heard.

Caroline Jones, area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said 52-year-old Mr Chamberlain’s medical cause of death was recorded as “traumatic head injury”.

She told an inquest in Alconbury: “A vehicle travelling between Stretham and Wicken on the A1123 crested a humpback bridge and was presented with a runner crossing the road from the nearside to the offside between two parts of a bridleway.”

She said the car struck Mr Chamberlain, causing him “significant injuries”.

The collision happened just a couple of days before Cambridge entrepreneur Dr Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter died off the coast of Sicily when the luxury yacht they were on sunk in a tornado.

Cambridgeshire Police said the collision happened on 17 August, and an activity uploaded to the fitness app Strava indicated that Mr Chamberlain was around six miles into his run having set out from Ely earlier that morning.

Miss Jones said Mr Chamberlain was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and his death was formally confirmed at 3.50am on 20 August.

“Police investigations remain ongoing, therefore, no further date has been fixed for these proceedings to resume,” Miss Jones said.

“I adjourn today’s hearing to a date to be fixed at the end of police investigations and any possible prosecutions.

“I extend my condolences to the family of Stephen Chamberlain.”

Mr Chamberlain was Dr Lynch’s co-defendant in the Autonomy fraud trial. Both were cleared of all charges by a jury in the US in June, after they were accused of fraud over the $11billion (£8.64bn) sale of Autonomy to US company Hewlett Packard.

Relatives of Mr Chamberlain said in an earlier tribute released through police that he was a “much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend”.

“He was an amazing individual whose only goal in life was to help others in any way possible,” his family said.

“He made a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

“He will be deeply missed but forever in the hearts of his loved ones.”

Cambridgeshire Police previously issued an appeal for witnesses after Mr Chamberlain was in collision with a blue Vauxhall Corsa car.

The force said the car was travelling between Stretham and Wicken when the collision happened at about 10.10am.

Police said the driver of the car, a 49-year-old woman from Haddenham, remained at the scene and was assisting with inquiries.

Gary Lincenberg, Mr Chamberlain’s lawyer, said in an earlier statement: “Our dear client and friend Steve Chamberlain was fatally struck by a car … while out running.

“He was a courageous man with unparalleled integrity. We deeply miss him.

“Steve fought successfully to clear his good name at trial earlier this year, and his good name now lives on through his wonderful family.”