Gavin Anthony ROBERTS · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 30th October 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Gavin Anthony ROBERTS, age 25 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 12th of March 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was Accidental death - on 24 of October 2013 Gavin Anthony Roberts was riding his motorcycle along Hollings Lane only days after having passed his test. Significantly underinflated tyres were a major factor in loss of control of his motorcycle which led to a fatal collision with an oncoming vehicle. The medical cause of death was 1a) traumatic cerebral and multi-organ injuries and fractures, 1b) road traffic collision.

Gavin Anthony Roberts was travelling along Hollings Lane in the direction of Thrybergh on his motorcycle. The road narrows to a bridge on the Hollings Road prior to which the road first bends slightly to the right before straightening and bending to the left. Visibility of oncoming vehicles on the approach to the bridge is extremely restricted due to the high walls and fencing of the bridge, hedging and bends in the road. Mr Roberts had completed an overtaking manoeuvre on the approach to the bridge, lost control on the left hand bend and came off his motorcycle directly into the path of an oncoming vehicle, the driver of which had no prior warning of the presence of Mr Roberts on the road due to the limited visibility described. Shortly prior to the bridge in both directions the speed limit increases from 40 to 60 miles per hour. There are street lights along this stretch albeit more than 187 metres apart. Although underinflated tyres on the motorcycle was a significant factor in these events, the collision investigator gave evidence that he had calculated that the maximum speed at which the bend can be safely negotiated is 48 miles per hour (despite there being a 60 mile per hour speed restriction in place). Despite warning signs with ‘slow’ painted on the road and warning signs on the approach to the bridge in each direction, there have been 25 collisions at this location in the last 5 years.

(1) The current speed restriction of 60 mph is higher than the maximum speed at which
The bend can safely be negotiated.
(2) The speed restriction actually increases from 40 mph to 60 mph on the approach to the bridge.
(3) The warning signs appear to be inadequate in the presence
of (1) and (2) above given the number of recorded incidents at this location.