This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44956961

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tour de Yorkshire Sportive: Death crash cyclist 'slammed on brakes' Tour de Yorkshire Sportive: Death crash cyclist 'could have stopped'
(about 3 hours later)
An inquest has heard witnesses describe the moment a cyclist was in collision with a coach during the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire Sportive. The driver of a coach that collided with a cyclist during the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire Sportive told an inquest the rider "could have stopped".
David Worthington, 51, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, was taking part in the amateur cycling event when the crash happened near Wortley on 30 April.David Worthington, 51, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, was taking part in the amateur cycling event when the crash happened near Wortley on 30 April.
He was badly injured and died in hospital six days later.He was badly injured and died in hospital six days later.
A coach passenger told Sheffield Coroner's Court she saw the cyclist "slam" on his brakes before the crash. Sheffield Coroner's Court heard the junction where the crash happened was a "potential hazard hotspot".
The court heard the coach had reversed into Plank Gate to turn around and was pulling out on to Finkle Street Lane when the collision occurred. Reserving his conclusion, senior coroner Christopher Dorries said he believed there were "lessons to learn" for the event organisers.
Coach passenger Margaret Crane said she had seen Mr Worthington cycling "quite fast" down the road with his "head down". The coach reversed into Plank Gate, because it was forced to turn around due to a low bridge, and was pulling out on to Finkle Street Lane when the collision occurred at about 11:05 BST.
Driver David Lockley told the hearing he looked in both directions and believed it was safe to pull out.
"There was no traffic whatsoever. I was three-quarters in to the turn and I was fully committed when I saw the cyclist," he said.
"Anything coming round that bend had 50 yards to stop."
Collision investigator Darrell McPherson said the driver would have been able to see Mr Worthington from about 50 metres away.
Mr McPherson described the road layout as "a potential hazard hotspot location" when busy.
"You get to a point when leaving that junction you have to commit and you do not have a view," he added.
Coach passenger Margaret Crane said she had seen Mr Worthington cycling "quite fast" down Finkle Street Lane with his "head down" and saw him "slam" on his brakes before the crash.
"He did eventually look up and saw the coach and then he slammed on his brakes but he was going so fast that the bike started to wobble," she said."He did eventually look up and saw the coach and then he slammed on his brakes but he was going so fast that the bike started to wobble," she said.
She told the court she thought he may have been riding at speeds of between 30 to 40mph as he came down the lane. She said she shouted "Oh my god, it's going hit it".
Horse rider Lorna Beer said she was on the opposite side of the road to the coach and saw a "continual flow" of cyclists coming along the road. She estimated Mr Worthington may have been riding at speeds of between 30mph and 40mph.
'Quite steep' Saddened and upset
However, she said there had been a gap at the point the coach moved out of Plank Gate.
She said she thought Mr Worthington had been attempting to swerve around the back of the vehicle.
She described the road as being a "quite steep down hill" with "zig-zag bends".
Race operations director Kirsty Wilde told the inquest all riders were made aware the event would take place on open roads and safety instructions had been issued.Race operations director Kirsty Wilde told the inquest all riders were made aware the event would take place on open roads and safety instructions had been issued.
She said cyclists were warned to obey the Highway Code and "maintain awareness at all times".She said cyclists were warned to obey the Highway Code and "maintain awareness at all times".
Stephen Campbell, on behalf of Skills Coaches and coach driver David Lockley, said Mr Lockley had been "saddened and upset" by Mr Worthington's death. Stephen Campbell, on behalf of Skills Coaches and the coach driver, said Mr Lockley had been "saddened and upset" by Mr Worthington's death.
The inquest continues. The inquest was adjourned to 14 August.