Verdict of accidental death recorded following biker crash in Limerick

AN experienced biker died after he sustained multiple injuries when he crashed into a dry stone wall near Pallasgreen his inquest has heard.

Scott Fitzgerald (32) from Clonmel, County Tipperary, died a short time after the accident which happened on the road between Barna and Old Pallas on October 23, 2016.

Limerick Coroners Court heard Mr Fitzgerald, who was a member of the Unfixables MCC, was travelling to the home of Patrick Franklin in East Limerick when the accident happened.

Mr Franklin, also a member of the Unfixables, told gardai Mr Fitzgerald had contacted him earlier in the day to say the throttle on his motorbike was giving trouble and that he was going to have a look at it.

In his deposition, he described how Scott had phoned him just after 3pm to said he had come off his bike and was “broken up”.

While an air ambulance was dispatched to the nearby GAA pitch, the biker was pronounced dead at the scene before he could be transported to hospital.

A post mortem examination which was carried out at University Limerick showed he sustained multiple lacerations and rib fractures as well as a broken leg. 

His heart was lacerated and the cause of death was cardio respiratory failure secondary to multiple traumatic chest injuries.

The inquest heard evidence that Mr Fitzgerald had been thrown from his Kawasaki bike which was found embedded in hedgerow more  than 15 metres from the wall.

Forensic Collision Investigator Conor McDermett said there was evidence of the brakes having been applied prior to the impact and that the bike was travelling at a minimum speed of 45kph when it hit the wall.

PSV inspector Michael Reddy who examined the motorbike following the collision said it was well maintained and roadworthy. He added that while he did not find any evidence that the throttle was stuck, it was not possible to rule out the possibility that there had been an intermittent problem.

The jury of four men and two women returned a verdict of accidental death.