Residents urge speed curb after biker's crash death (From Gazette & Herald)

Residents urge speed curb after biker's crash death

RESIDENTS of an idyllic North Yorkshire dale have renewed their call for a 50mph speed limit after an inquest heard how a motorcyclist died after trying to take a bend too quickly.

Members of pressure group Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger (BAND) believe accidents such as the one that claimed the life of Andrew Savvery, 35, could be prevented if the speed limit was lowered on the B1257.

An inquest was told how the motorcyclist rode too quickly into a left hand bend on the Helmsley to Stokesley route, which has been dubbed the "Yorkshire TT".

The scrap metal merchant braked heavily causing his rear wheel to lock, sending him into the path of an oncoming car near the hamlet of Laskill on September 5 last year.

Speaking after the inquest, Ken Braithwaite, BAND chairman, said: "We have carried out a survey of all the residents of Bilsdale and almost 50 per cent of them feel that a 50mph limit should be introduced, which could have helped prevent this accident.

"We deplore the loss of life and feel that we are not going to get any progress without increased policing and the use of handheld or van-mounted speed guns."

The inquest at Pickering Magistrates Court heard from Keith Terry who had been driving his Citroen Xsara towards Helmsley when he approached a right hand bend and suddenly saw a Blue Yamaha R1 over the white line on his side.

"I was shocked. I noticed he was clearly fighting for control. I think he was trying to correct his line.

''Possibly when he saw my car he panicked. If he could've used all the road he could've made the bend," said Mr Terry.

Dr David Morgan, consultant pathologist at Scarborough Hospital, carried out a post-mortem examination and found that Mr Savvery, of Colby Newham, had broken his neck at the very top of his spine, cutting the spinal cord.

Toxicology tests showed traces of cocaine and cannabis in his urine.

TC Timothy Alderson, of the North Yorkshire Police, said Mr Savvery was estimated to have been travelling at 60mph when the top speed for the severity of the bend was 55mph.

TC Alderson said lack of judgement was partly the cause of the accident, but he said it was unlikely that it was caused by the effects of cocaine.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Oakley said: "He has approached this bend just a trifle too fast and then been forced, with a motor car coming in the opposite direction, to apply the brake, which has led to him going on straight to the car."

Mr Oakley said he discounted that cocaine had any effect on Mr Savvery.

Updated: 15:17 Wednesday, February 02, 2005