Posted on by Stephen Tuck

In re death of Sizeland (2013) H&FLR 2015-22

Inquest into the death of Rex Sylvester Sizeland (2013) H&FLR 2015-22

Coroners’ Court of Victoria

28 June 2013

Coram: Coroner Parkinson

Appearing for the family of the deceased: Mr G Stewart (solicitor)
Appearing for Mr Costa: Mr T Bourke (instructors not identified).

Catchwords: Victoria – Coroner – cyclist – hit by car – distracted driver – death

Facts: The deceased was aged 66 years and an experienced road cyclist.  On 21 December 2009 he was riding between Torquay and Barwon Heads. During the ride, he and the other two men with whom he was riding were struck from behind by a car driven by a Mr Costa.

The evidence of lay witnesses was that the deceased and the other two riders were to the left of the road and using about half of the width of the northbound lane.  The court concluded that there was no reason for Mr Costa not to have noticed the cyclists.  The court was somewhat critical of his evidence and considered it likely that he had been distracted by something inside the vehicle, although it could not conclude that he had been reading a text message.

Held:  That Mr Sizeland’s death was preventable and that the death could have been prevented had he paid proper attention to the task of driving.  No action of Mr Sizeland’s caused his death.

Judgment

The Court’s judgment is available here.

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Posted on by Stephen Tuck

In re death of Sidebottom (2013) H&FLR 2015-20

Inquest into the death of David Andrew Sidebottom (2013) H&FLR 2015-20

Coroners’ Court of Victoria

18 October 2013

Coram: Coroner Saines

Appearing for Ms Connor: Mr Brendan James (solicitor)

Catchwords: Victoria – Coroner – cyclist – distracted driver – death – funding

Facts: The deceased was aged 53 years and an experienced cyclist.  On 2 January 2011 he was riding west on Murradoc Road at Drysdale.  He was approached from behind by a Honda CRV driven by a Ms Connor.  The front left corner of the Honda struck the bicycle and caused the deceased to be thrown off and suffer fatal injuries.

Both at the time of the accident and subsequently the driver was not able to say how the accident occurred (the Court was satisfied that this was not intentional or evasive).  No charges were laid against her.  The driver was not affected by alcohol, speeding or using a mobile phone.  There was some evidence that she may have been distracted.  There was also evidence that the deceased may have deviated suddenly into the path of Connor’s vehicle.

Held: 1. It was likely that the deceased had deviated into the path of Ms Connor’s car in circumstances where she may have neither anticipated nor seen the deviation.

2. Decisions as to the spending of public money was not generally appropriate for a recommendation under §67 of the Coroners Act.  That said, a significant increase in cyclist numbers could support a special case for priority funding in order to enhance community health and safety and reduce the risk of death or injury to cyclists.

Judgment

The Court’s judgment is available here.

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