Ahmed Hassam Motala · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 14th December 2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Ahmed Hassam Motala
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 21st May 2019

The conclusion of the inquest was: Road Traffic Collision.

The medical cause of death was: 1a) Multiple Injuries

On 29th November 2018, Ahmed Motala was cycling to work along the A38 at Cole Avenue in Gloucester. He was cycling in a westbound direction in cycle lane. After the junction with Epney Road, Mr Motala was in collision with a lorry. It appears that Mr Motala swerved or was blown by the wind into the lorry. The injuries he sustained resulted in his death.

The evidence of the Police Collision Investigator and the evidence of witnesses who were motorists on the day (one who regularly used the cycle lane himself) describe the state of the cycle lane as being in very poor condition and cyclists have to swerve in the cycle lane to avoid the defects. Moreover I heard that to avoid the defects they cycle very close to the white line separating the lane with the traffic. This is obviously very dangerous.

At the time of the impact, Mr Motala was not in a cycle lane, what is more the weather on that day was described as “diabolical”. Therefore I do not consider that the state of the cycle lane itself contributed to his death.

However, I am concerned that lives of cyclists in the future may be put at risk if the cycle lane stays in the current state of repair.