A motorcyclist who hit the back of a car at the start of the mountain mile died by accident an inquest has ruled.
Coroner John Needham said lack of forward observation rather than speed seemed to have been the principal cause of the accident which claimed the life of 43-year-old Kevin Stanley Moore in dry and sunny conditions last May.
The court heard evidence from Inspector Cathryn Bradley who said she was the duty inspector driving towards Douglas when her telephone started ringing. She told the court she pulled to the very edge of the road where she felt there was a long and clear sight line from the nearest bend, before answering.
A BMW car following her paused behind waiting for an oncoming car which was distant but was being overtaken by a motorcycle.
She said: ‘Then I heard an almighty bang but felt no impact. I thought the BMW most have hit me. I saw debris.
Kerstin Deighton, who was driving towards Ramsey told the inquest she saw Miss Bradley stopping and fearing a possible accident she flashed the approaching bikes to warn of an obstruction.
‘I gave a slowing down signal. I knew something bad was going to happen,’ she said.
The first bike appeared to brake heavily and the second bike passed close to her causing the car to shudder. Looking in her mirror she saw the second bike hit the BMW car, she said.
Julian Wood was riding the leading bike. He told the inquest he saw Mrs Deighton flashing her headlights so he rolled off the throttle and went round the two cars: ‘I looked in my mirror to see where Kevin was because I thought it was not a good place to park.’
After hitting the BMW, Mr Moore who came from Ballaugh, landed in a field at the road side and died despite the efforts of bystanders and paramedics to revive him.
A post mortem report from Dr Christopher Clague found the cause of death was massive blunt force trauma to Mr Moore’s head and left hand side of his body.
An accident report by Constable Richard Goldie suggested Mr Moore’s speed was between 80 and 100mph, which would have allowed ample time to stop before reaching the two cars 393 metres away from the bend.
Delivering his verdict, Mr Needham said speed did not seem to be a decisive factor in the accident and as such he could not make any recommendations on the issue.
He offered his condolences to Mr Moore’s friends and family.
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