Retiring coroner issues warning about quad bikes after another fatality
The coroner called for anti-roll devices on all quad bikes.
A coroner has recommended that anti-roll bars be fitted on quad bikes.
Pat O'Connor made the comments at his final sitting of the coroner's court in Swinford last week after hearing evidence in the case of Michael J. Gallagher, who died in a quad bike accident on Achill island last June. The retiring coroner said that during the past 36 years, he had dealt with several fatalities arising from quad bikes, and "in most cases, [the quad] did not have a road safety device".
The inquest heard that the 86-year-old had travelled from California to Achill to visit relatives when the tragedy occurred on June 30th last at Purteen.
Gardaí received a report at 1.45pm that a quad bike appeared to have entered a drain with a driver on the side of it. The injured party was being treated by doctors at the scene but he was pronounced dead at 2.30pm and his body removed to Mayo University Hospital for a post-mortem.
A medical report noted that the deceased suffered a left femur fracture, as well as other fractures and multiple injuries, including internal lacerations.
Adjourning the inquest to a later date for a verdict, Mr O'Connor said: “In my 36 years as a coroner, there have been a number of incidents with people riding quads, whether it has tumbled over or crashed. In most cases, it did not have a road safety device and as I have done before, I recommend these should be fitted as they would save lives.”
Mr O’Connor added that Mr Gallagher was “obviously a great character”. The deceased's family in California described him as “passionate for food, wine, the sea and people to share it with”.
