Motorcyclist died after being hit by a recovery lorry near Ludlow, inquest hears
An experienced motorcyclist died after he was hit by a recovery lorry in south Shropshire, an inquest has heard.
Richard Smith, 62, of Killamarsh, Derbyshire,was one of four motorcyclists riding together when the accident happened near Ludlow, on April 14, last year.
He pulled out of the A4113 junction on to the A49 and was struck by a 12-tonne Renault lorry.
Mr Smith was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, with multiple injuries, including a serious brain injury. He was later transferred to the Northern General Hospital in Fir Vale, Sheffield, where he died on July 31.
Doctors found he died as a result of bronchopneumonia, secondary to a brain injury.
The inquest in Sheffield yesterday heard the lorry had been parked in a lay-by while the driver checked his sat-nav, before pulling back on to the A49.
The hearing was told the wrong indicator may have been flashing, giving Mr Smith the impression it was turning on to the A4113. However, the lorry did not pull into a filter lane and carried on travelling straight ahead along the A49.
PC Neil Taylor, of West Mercia Police, said an ambulance with its blue lights flashing was travelling in the opposite direction along the A49, which may have distracted the motorcyclists.
He said the lorry driver turned off the indicator at least six seconds before the junction. The first rider then Mr Smith then pulled out in front of the lorry.
He told the inquest the lorry was not travelling above the 40mph speed limit.
The inquest continues today.
