A HORRIFIC collision that resulted in the tragic death of a Lisbellaw motorcyclist almost two years ago occurred on a road “where most fatal accidents happen in Fermanagh”, an inquest has heard.

Richard Brown (44), from Fortview Park, died as a result of a head injury sustained when his Suzuki motorcycle collided with a tractor on the main A4 Belfast Road, between Brookeborough and Fivemiletown, on April 18, 2014.

A PSNI constable tasked to the scene of the crash told the inquest, held in Enniskillen courthouse on Friday, that the road was “well-known” for accidents.

He added: “The road itself would be an accident blackspot where most fatal accidents happen in Fermanagh”.

After hearing evidence from a number of witnesses, and consulting reports prepared by a pathologist and forensic scientist, Coroner Henry Rodgers ruled that the extent of Mr Brown’s injuries left him with “little or no chance” of survival, despite attempts to resuscitate him.

Mr Rodgers passed on his deepest condolences to the members of the deceased’s family who attended, including his mother Ruby Brown, whom, he said, had suffered an “untimely, unnecessary and irreplaceable loss”.

The first witness to give evidence at the hearing had been Andrew Mayers, the driver of the tractor with which Mr Brown’s motorcycle had collided.

In a statement read out to the inquest, Mr Mayers said that he had been driving a Ford tractor pulling a slurry tanker on the main A4 road at around 8.10pm. He had been preparing to turn the tractor into a field on the left hand side of the road when he observed a silver car overtake on his right, followed by a motorcycle.

Mr Mayers said that, at this time, he could also see an oncoming tractor further on up the road.
After observing the car and motorcycle overtake him, Mr Mayers outlined how he was turning his tractor when he heard a “really loud noise”. He realised a second motorcycle had hit his tractor and immediately contacted the emergency services.

The tractor driver said he had checked to see if the motorcyclist was conscious, but he wasn’t.
Meanwhile, a statement from the driver of the oncoming tractor, Stephen McSwigin, described how he saw the two motorcycles approaching the other tractor from behind.

In his statement, Mr McSwigin, who did not attend the inquest, said the first bike had overtaken the tractor on its right, but the second bike had “disappeared from view”.

He stated that he saw something at the front left-hand wheel of the other tractor after it stopped and realised that it was the stricken motorcyclist. He described how there was “no movement or response” from the biker, but added that his leg had twitched a couple of times.

Mr McSwigin, in his statement, said he believed that both bikes had “ample time” to overtake. He said that the road was in good condition, having been recently tarred, and the actions of the other tractor driver in indicating left had been “clear to me and any other road user”.

He stated that in his opinion, Mr Brown had either “realised he was going too fast or didn’t realise the tractor’s actions and went on the left hand side”.

The other motorcyclist, Elvin Higgins, said he had been heading to the Valley Hotel in Fivemiletown to get food with his friend, Mr Brown, when the collision occurred.

Mr Higgins said they both knew the road well and had not been travelling at a fast pace. He said he knew he had enough time to overtake the tractor as there was a safe distance between it and the oncoming vehicle.

However, after completing the manoeuvre and going round a bend in the road, Mr Higgins said he didn’t see his friend behind him and “knew something was wrong straight away”.

He said Mr Brown had been driving motorbikes all his life and was “very experienced”. He described the weather that evening as “perfect biking conditions”.

He admitted that he didn’t know why Richard went down the left, adding: “Maybe he didn’t think he had time to overtake.”

Mr Higgins told the inquest that he had gone over what had happened “so many times” in his head. “There are so many possibilities,” he said.

Out of deference to the family of the deceased, the Coroner said he would not refer to the autopsy report. Mr Rodgers told the hearing that the pathologist determined that the cause of death had been a head injury.

The Coroner also read out the conclusion of a report of the crash scene compiled by a forensic scientist. He added a copy of the report would be available in full for Mr Brown’s family.

In the conclusion, the forensic scientist said he had been unable to determine the speed of the motorcycle, due to the damage and its post-impact position.

In summing up the evidence, Mr Rodgers found the deceased had tried to pass the tractor on its nearside and had collided with the front nearside wheel. He stated that Mr Brown had been pronounced dead at the scene.