Teenager was killed in horror motorbike crash on Mayo road

An 18-year-old Leaving Certificate student was killed instantly when his motorcycle left the road and hit a crash barrier on the old Westport to Castlebar road at Cloonkeen, Castlebar, last year, an inquest has been told.

Kacper Swierkowski, 43 Knockaphunta Park, Castlebar, formerly of Jedrzejow, Poland, died after losing control of the Honda CDR 500 vehicle on the evening of March 13, 2024, while driving from Westport in the direction of Castlebar.

Coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald conducted an inquest into the tragic death of the youngster who at the time of his passing was a student at Davitt College, Castlebar.

The cause of death was given by consultant pathologist Dr Fadel Bennani as severe brain and spinal cord injuries sustained in a road traffic accident.

Gda Sgt Gabriel McLoughlin, PSV Inspector, said vehicle had been roadworthy and there were no defects that could have contributed to the collision.

The inquest heard that the bike veered across the road at a bend into a crash barrier and the victim was thrown over the barrier, sustaining injuries which caused instantaneous death.

Evidence from gardaí, first responders and motorists who helped at the crash scene was heard at Thursday’s inquest at Ballina Courthouse.

One of the first on the scene, Maria Moran, who is a member of Westport Order of Malta, helped administer first aid.

“I am so sorry for the family. I did everything I possibly could for this man”, Ms Moran outlined in a statement.

Responding to questions from the coroner, Ms Moran agreed the scene was “quite horrific”.

A further witness, Cathy O’Malley, who is attached to Castlebar Primary Care Centre, said she came on the accident while travelling home from work and kept talking to the victim saying “keep with it, the ambulance is coming”.

In a statement which was read to the inquest, Robert Swierkowski, father of the victim, said that on the afternoon of the accident he had collected his sons, Kacper and Patryk, from their schools, Davitt College and St Gerald’s College respectively.

Mr Swierkowski said after they got home Kacper put on his motorcycle gear, got on his bike and drove in the direction of Westport. He explained that about an hour later he got a phone call from Patryk who told him gardaí were at the house and there had been an accident.

Mr Swierkowski said that on the following day he accompanied his wife, Jolanta, to Mayo University Hospital where they identified their son’s remains.

Sgt John Horkan, forensic collision investigator with An Garda Síochána, gave evidence that the Honda motorbike was negotiating a bend when it left the road and impacted with a crash barrier. Sgt Horkan described the 500 CC bike as “powerful”, capable of doing 200km per hour. He said it was difficult to estimate the speed of the bike at the time of the impact and explained the accident could be due to a lack of driver experience.

”It could be a number of issues”, he noted.

Returning a verdict of accidental death, Dr Fitzgerald noted that Kacper had been keen to own his bike and replaced a smaller bike with a more powerful one.

Referring to the high number of motorbike accidents each year resulting in fatalities and serious injuries, she noted that motorbikes afford less protection than other road vehicles.

The coroner commented the victim, just 18, might not have been aware of the dangers involved.

She went on to speak of the “goodness and kindness” of the first responders and others who attempted to revive the young student but whose injuries were so serious that nothing could be done.

The coroner expressed sympathy with Jacper’s parents Robert and Jolanta and brother Patryk. She said it was tragic for Kacper to have died in such an awful way.

Sgt Noel Crinnegan, on behalf of An Garda Síochána, joined in the expressions of sympathy.