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Fatal cyclist Kadian Harding 'had brakes checked' Fatal cyclist Kadian Harding 'had brake concerns'
(about 1 hour later)
A cyclist killed in a road accident had taken his bicycle for repairs hours before he died because of concerns over the brakes, an inquest has heard.A cyclist killed in a road accident had taken his bicycle for repairs hours before he died because of concerns over the brakes, an inquest has heard.
Kadian Harding, 14, suffered fatal injuries in a collision with a Mercedes Van on 25 July in Wiltshire.Kadian Harding, 14, suffered fatal injuries in a collision with a Mercedes Van on 25 July in Wiltshire.
He was riding down a steep path with his family when he was unable to stop as he approached the A4.He was riding down a steep path with his family when he was unable to stop as he approached the A4.
Kadian had been to the repair shop to have the brakes checked on the self-assembled bike hours before the crash.Kadian had been to the repair shop to have the brakes checked on the self-assembled bike hours before the crash.
His father, Thomas Harding, told the hearing in Salisbury that he had wanted the bike to be cleared for use on roads.His father, Thomas Harding, told the hearing in Salisbury that he had wanted the bike to be cleared for use on roads.
"We were always clear with him that the bike would have to be checked by a professional bike mechanic before it was deemed road worthy," he said."We were always clear with him that the bike would have to be checked by a professional bike mechanic before it was deemed road worthy," he said.
"It was always his intention to get it checked.""It was always his intention to get it checked."
Mr Harding said Kadian had taken the bicycle to one bike shop near his home in Steep, Hampshire on at least two occasions and again to a different shop on the day he died.Mr Harding said Kadian had taken the bicycle to one bike shop near his home in Steep, Hampshire on at least two occasions and again to a different shop on the day he died.
'Safe to ride''Safe to ride'
He told the inquest that two days before his son died he had been on the bike for the first time. He told the inquest that two days before his son died, his brakes were "functioning" but "not optimal".
"It was clear to me that the brakes were functioning and not optimal," he said. On the morning of his son's death, Mr Harding added, he told Kadian to get them checked by a professional. The brakes were checked and a cable was replaced, he added
"I did consider it safe enough to cycle because the brakes were working but not working well enough." Mr Harding was riding behind his son before the fatal collision and told the inquest it made "no sense" that he would not stop because there was "plenty of time".
Mr Harding said that his son needed to apply a lot of pressure to the brake handles and said the brake pads were 5mm away from the front and rear wheels. After the collision he went to his son's side. "It was 100% clear to me that he was immediately dead," he said.
On the morning of the day Kadian died, Mr Harding told the hearing how he told his son to get the bicycle checked by a professional. He estimated that Kadian's speed was between 25mph and 30mph as he travelled down the slope.
"I specifically said: 'We are really concerned about the brakes. You must get the front and back brakes looked at."' 'Gears check'
When at the shop Mr Harding said the brakes were checked and a cable was replaced. Owen Pattinson, owner of Owens Cycles in Hampshire, told the hearing that Kadian had visited his shop on at least two occasions with the bike and may well have come in for a third time.
"I didn't have a go (on the bike) but I did try both front and back brakes. I noticed they were much firmer now. Asked about the last time Kadian came in, Mr Pattinson said he was asked to check the gears and not the brakes.
"I noticed the pads were now about 1mm apart." "The last thing I said (to him) was 'You need to finish the bike by doing the brakes'.
Mr Pattinson said that had he been asked to check the whole of the bike he would have booked it in to his workshop and the job would have taken a few days.
Ian White, driver of the Mercedes van in collision with Kadian, told the inquest he heard a "whack" but had not realised what had happened.
"I didn't have a clue what it was until I brought the van to a stop," said Mr White.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.