Mr Hwang Keh Ling, 46, had asked his good friend, Mr Koh Ah Kiat, 49, to drive him to a farmland at Jalan Lekar, off Old Choa Chu Kang Road, on Dec 13 last year to see some plants.

This was the first time the two had gone there together.

Mr Koh parked the lorry on a down slope near Pioneer Landscape as all the parking lots were occupied. He applied the handbrake and put the gear to neutral.

Both Mr Koh and Mr Hwang then alighted to the front of the lorry to see the plants.

Mr Koh was standing near the high kerb, with Mr Koh by his side.

Suddenly, Mr Koh saw the lorry roll towards them and shouted at his friend to run but it was too late.

Mr Koh had also rushed towards the driver's side and tried to pull the lorry back but it was laden with about 200kg of machinery.

Investigation showed while the two men were looking at the plants, a big soil truck passed by. This could have triggered the lorry to roll forward but there was no impact between the two vehicles.

Mr Koh was taken unconscious to National University Hospital where he died about two hours later of multiple injuries.

State Coroner Victor Yeo recorded a verdict of misadventure on Mr Hwang's death.

Mr Hwang's wife, Madam Ng Lee See, 46, who was in court with her teenage son and sister, told reporters outside court that her husband and Mr Koh had been long-time friends, and were in the same line.

She said her husband's death was 'fated', and she did not blame Mr Koh at all although the latter still felt bad. Mr Koh, who also attended Monday's inquiry, declined comment.