Rider lost control at more than 100mph

A RIDER died after losing control of his bike at well over 100mph in the Gorse Lea section of the TT course during this year’s races, an inquest heard.

Coroner John Needham recorded a verdict of misadventure on Derek Brien from Bellewstown, Co. Meath, Republic of Ireland, who died while competing in the first Supersport 600 race on Monday, June 6.

Thirty-four-year-old Mr Brien was on his second lap when spectators noticed him having problems.

Australian Trevor Dodds, who was watching from the top of the wall videoing the racing, said he saw Mr Brien approach on the correct line at a similar speed to the other bikes.

‘He was having problems: it was not smooth and he did not seem to have control. Then I saw a small cloud of dust that confirmed my fears he had fallen off,’ he said.

Another Australian, Jessica Starks, was also sitting on the stone wall taking photographs.

In a written statement, she told the court she thought Mr Brien was not travelling quite as fast as the other bikes.

‘The rider seemed to have lost control and the front end was unstable. The rider was trying to correct it then he went across the road and through the hedge. I realised the severity of it and looked away at this point,’ she said.

Spectator Robert Mawdsley, a former MGP competitor, said the front wheel of Mr Brien’s bike simply ‘washed out’, causing the bike to go down on its right-hand side. He suggested Mr Brien could have been disorientated by shadow under the trees contrasting with the bright sunlight.

Another spectator, Alan Smyth from Northern Ireland, said he saw a small puff of smoke and suggested Mr Brien braked and locked the front wheel.

Deputy sector marshal for Gorse Lea, Reginald Berry from Port St Mary, a marshal for 43 years, said racing conditions on the day were perfect with no wind and a dry road.

He, too, described seeing the front of Mr Brien’s Yamaha R6 lose grip and slide from under him. He said the bike broke up on impact with a tree at the side of the road and scattered debris across the course. Marshals waved yellow flags to warn oncoming riders. Mr Brien himself disappeared from view into the trees. When Mr Berry found him, it was clear he was already dead. The race was red flagged, to stop it, and re-run later on.

Mr Berry told the court he did not know what had caused the accident but added it was a fast section of the course.


Inspection

Marshals’ vice-chairman Gordon Moore, of Kirk Michael, said he thought Mr Brien braked slightly after the first of the two bends at Gorse Lea, causing the front wheel to slide away.

An inspection of the remains of Mr Brien’s bike at the Tromode test centre found no defects other than accident damage.

A statement from Dr Christopher Clague, who carried out a post-mortem examination on Mr Brien at Noble’s Hospital, said he died from ‘massive blunt force trauma’ resulting in injuries to his head, chest, abdomen and limbs.

Recording his verdict, Mr Needham said racing carried an inherent danger. ‘We will never really know why Derek lost control,’ he said.

‘There was no suggestion of a known mechanical fault, the bike seemed professionally prepared. Reference was made to touching the front brake and to shadow that can disorientate the rider. What we do know is that he lost control and the bike and rider slid across the road into the trees at the edge of the corner and Derek hit a tree at high speed and died instantly from his injuries.’

A statement from Mr Brien’s partner, Sara McGirl, said Mr Brien was not only a talented rider but also a good runner who was a member of a running club and a keen Gaelic football player.

‘Everything had to match up to his exacting standards, with the possible exception of his clothes,’ she said, causing a ripple of mirth among friends in the public gallery.


Condolences

The statement said Mr Brien had enjoyed taking his dog out when going to shoot pheasants and also spent time playing football in the garden with his young stepson, Oisin. He had competed in both the Manx Grand Prix and the TT, which had become the highlight of his year.

Offering condolences to Mr Brien’s family, Mr Needham said: ‘The loss will be felt especially keenly by his family and friends. He would not have suffered and he died doing what he loved best.’

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