Published at 10:27, Saturday, 28 November 2009

AN experienced motorcyclist died accidentally after he came off, slid nearly 25 metres along a road and smashed into a wall, an inquest heard.

DAVID IAN BOLAN

By David Pickthall

Coroner Ian Smith yesterday ruled that David Ian Bolan, 47, died after a tragic accident when riding his road bike on the C5227 road on Cartmel Fell on the morning of May 31.

The inquest in County Hall, Kendal, heard that Mr Bolan suddenly slammed on his brakes after coming over a brow and realised a gate in the narrow road was up ahead.

The forceful braking caused his wheel to lock and threw him off the vehicle.

He slid alongside the bike for 23 metres before colliding with a dry-stone wall and suffered life threatening injuries.

He died around five hours later in Royal Lancaster Hospital.

Mr Smith, east and south Cumbria coroner, concluded: “There is no doubt he lost control. Whether it was down to a momentary lack of concentration, maybe his mind wandered – we cannot know.

“It happened out of the blue. It was an accident. Very simple and very tragic.”

The inquest heard Mr Bolan, of Preston, died of multiple rib fractures, a fracture to the vertebrae and internal bleeding.

He was not under the influence of any alcohol or drugs.

PC Richard Wiejack, who investigated the collision, told the inquest that weather and visibility were good and confirmed the bike was in good working order.

He also confirmed there were no other vehicles and no animals in the area at the time.

PC Wiejack said: “While travelling along towards a farm gate he has impacted harsh breaking for 15.5m, and for 8.8m of that distance, at least, his wheel locked.

“He lost control and this has caused him to fall to his right and slide. Rider and vehicle have both slid together for 23m along the road.

“The first point he would see the gate was closed was approximately 62.5m from the gate itself.”

PC Wiejack said the speed at which Mr Bolan was travelling cannot be known, but said it would have been “potentially possible” for him to have stopped in time.

The inquest also heard Mr Bolan had major heart surgery some years ago, but there was no evidence to suggest his condition had relapsed.

Robert Hornby, a lifetime friend of Mr Bolan, told the inquest he had rode in front and had stopped to open the gate.

He said Mr Bolan was wearing all the correct gear.

Mr Hornby said: “I just heard the bike slide and just thought, ‘oh God, he’s come off’. I thought he had come off and that were it, as it turned out he must’ve hit the wall.”

A police statement released in May said: “David was a devoted father to his daughter Megan and a loving son to Vera and George, a dear brother to Linda, Elaine, Christine, Carol and a great uncle to many.”

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