A YOUNG polytechnic student died two days after she was knocked down by a motorist while crossing the road in April this year, a coroner's court heard.

Miss Kio Yuan Xiang, 17, had taken two steps down from the centre road divider of Tampines Avenue 7 on April 28 when a car, driven by Ms Tong Ruyi, 28, hit her.

The Nanyang Polytechnic second-year hospitality and resource management student died two days later at Changi General Hospital of head injury.

Ms Tong, who was named a potential defendant at an inquiry on Wednesday into Miss Kio's death, chose not to give evidence.

Investigation officer Ivan Leong Hong Chung said in his investigation report that Miss Kio had not checked for oncoming traffic from her left when crossing the road.

Instead, her focus was at the bus stop infront of her, he added.

State Coroner Victor Yeo recorded an open verdict on her death. He said it was unclear whether Ms Tong had noticed the pedestrian, and what measures, if any, she took either to warn the deceased of her approaching car or to avoid colliding into her.