Gust of wind could have led to crash
9:13am Thursday 18th March 2010 in News
A “MODEL motorcyclist” died after she veered onto the wrong side of the road, swerved to avoid an oncoming car, and was thrown from her bike, an inquest heard.
Keen biker Anita Rabbitt, aged 45, of Longfield Road, Over Hulton, was making her way to Rivington Barn — a popular meeting point for bikers — on a Sunday afternoon in October last year.
Bolton Coroners Court was told the experienced motorcyclist was riding behind another biker along Meadow Pit Lane, Haigh.
The pair approached an S-bend first turning right and then to the left.
But on the second turn, Miss Rabbitt carried straight on into the path of oncoming traffic.
She swerved to avoid a Toyota Yaris and her bike travelled along the passenger side of the car.
She hit the brakes, leaving tyre marks on the road, but her bike struck the kerb and she flew over her handlebars landing in a hedge.
The inquest heard she may only have sustained minor injuries had her body not hit two tree stumps in the hedge.
She sustained broken ribs, a fractured spine and a subdural haematoma, caused by severe trauma to the head.
She was taken to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, in Wigan, but died a short time later.
The inquest heard that a sudden gust of wind may have been responsible for causing her to serve.
Mark Dickman, of the police’s Forensic Collision Reconstruction Unit, said the accident may have been caused by a cross wind shortly before the bend which could have unsettled Miss Rabbitt.
He said tyre marks on the road indicated the bike was travelling at 31 miles per hour when it hit the kerb.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant deputy coroner Peter Watson said: “She was an outgoing, fun-loving individual.
“It is also clear to me that she was a very sensible rider. She was a young lady who would not drive at excessive speeds or take unnecessary risks — she was a model motorcyclist.”
Paying tribute to his daughter, Eric Cummings said: “Anita loved life and always had something to do and somewhere to go.
“We are shocked and devastated by what has happened. She will be sorely missed.”
