Inquest into Hollymount crash returns accidental death verdict

A man who was involved in a fatal road accident has said he thinks about the incident and the victim’s family everyday.
An inquest took place last week into the death of Robert Wright of 28, Main Street, Ballymoney, Co Antrim.
The motorcycle he was driving collided with a van at Lehinch, Hollymount on September 6 last and the inquest heard that there was nothing the van driver could have done to prevent the accident.
The inquest returned a verdict of accidental death.
The 55-year-old motorcyclist had been on a trip with his friend and fellow motorcyclist Brendan Greene and they had travelled to Westport the previous day from Antrim.
The men decided to return home on an alternative route and were making their way from Ballinrobe to Claremorris when the accident occurred.
Brian Walsh, The Demesne, Hollymount, was making his way home from Tesco in Claremorris at 1.10pm and on coming into a ‘bad bend’ he noticed a motorcycle coming towards him and thought it was ‘too close’.
A second motorbike then came around the corner going faster than the first and Mr Walsh knew it was going to collide with his van. He pulled into the grass verge but the motorcycle hit the middle of the van. Mr Walsh said he was in a ‘state of shock’ after the airbag went off and when he got out of the van he saw the motorcycle on the road and saw Mr Wright lying half on the road and half in a ditch.
A couple who arrived at the scene tended to Mr Wright, who was still breathing following the accident, according to Mr Greene, who had returned to the accident after seeing it occur in his mirror.

Cautious driver
Mr Greene said he and his friend were in no rush on the way home and that Mr Wright never rode fast.
“It was ideal biking weather. I would call it a leisurely corner. I can’t figure out what happened … Robert was such a cautious driver,” said Mr Greene, in his statement.
Sgt Gabriel McLoughlin, PSV inspector and forensic investigator told the inquest both vehicles were roadworthy at the time of the accident.
He added that Mr Wright had crossed onto the incorrect side of the road when he collided with the van, which was travelling on the correct side of the road.
Fadel Bennani, Consultant Pathologist at Mayo University Hospital, informed the inquest that Mr Wright died from a head injury as a result of the accident.
Coroner for Mayo South John O’Dwyer and members of An Garda SióchΡna extended their sympathy to the Wright family.