Inquest told of motorcyclist's speed death

THE DEATH of a motorcyclist could have been prevented if he had not been speeding, an inquest at Dublin County Coroner’s Court heard yesterday.

Karl Brown (24), Cappagh Drive, Finglas, died when his motorbike collided with an SUV on June 27th last. The SUV was turning right from Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas, on to Abbotstown Avenue when the collision took place shortly before 3.30pm.

Mr Brown died from severe head injuries, according to a postmortem report read out by coroner Dr Kieran Geraghty. His urine tested positive for cocaine and samples of vitreous humour – a type of fluid in the eye – contained alcohol, the report found.

The motorbike was travelling at least 50km/h on impact and at least 70km/h before braking, collision investigator Garda Anthony Kelly told the court. It skidded almost 13 metres before striking the ground and three metres before hitting the rear wheel of the SUV, he said.

Had the motorbike travelled at the 50km/h speed limit it could have stopped in time. The attempt by the bike to overtake the SUV was “imprudent”, Garda Kelly said.

SUV driver Brendan McElroy of Mellowes Avenue, Finglas, said he was turning right when his vehicle was hit by the motorbike.

A former Army officer, Mr McElroy told the court that the bike had not been behind him before he turned right. He had indicated and waited for two cars to pass on his left before checking his mirrors again and turning, he said. He then heard a loud bang and saw two men on the footpath.

Pillion passenger Ian O’Hehir was badly injured. He told the court he could not recall anything between getting on the bike and four weeks after the collision.

Wayne Bradley, a witness and moped rider who had spoken briefly to Mr Brown earlier that afternoon, told the court that the SUV had no indicator on.

He did not know at what speed the motorbike was travelling but it was fast, he said. The motorbike hit the SUV “upright” and shot over it “like a rocket”. Mr Bradley said he brought his moped to a stop behind the SUV. He examined Mr Brown at the scene and said there was blood coming from his mouth and nose.

He could not hear Mr Brown’s heart, his pulse was fading and he began to push on his chest. Mr Brown had seemed well before the crash and there were no signs that he had drunk alcohol, he said.

Seán Byrne, whose statement was read by a garda, said the SUV had its indicator light on. Mr Byrne had seen Mr Brown’s motorbike earlier that day when it had sped by him and nearly clipped his mirror and had given him a fright.

The jury returned a unanimous verdict of death by misadventure.