Speeding motorcyclist killed doing wheelie
RTA, London Road, Spalding
A MOTORCYCLIST who died after crashing into the back of a van in Spalding had been performing a wheelie just seconds earlier.
Witnesses to the crash told an inquest on Friday how Patryk Wojtczak did not seem to realise the van was stationary on London Road as he approached at “high speed”.
Van driver Darren Andrews told how he had pulled in behind some parked cars to allow an oncoming Isuzu truck and trailer to pass when the collision happened on September 13.
He said: “While I was stationary I heard the motorcyclist enter the road. It was coming at high speed. Hearing the engine, I looked in my wing mirror and saw the motorcyclist pulling a wheelie.
“As the motorcycle was quickly approaching, he came out of the wheelie and pulled the brakes on hard and skidded off.
“The motorcycle came by the side of the van and the motorcycle rider hit the back of it.”
Mr Wojtczak (30), of Thistle Gardens, Spalding, was airlifted to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital but later died from multiple injuries.
The Drayman’s Arms landlord Anthony Branch told the inquest he had seen the motorcyclist earlier in the day and previously in the area.
He said: “About 20 minutes to half an hour before the accident he came by the pub as I was going out the gate.
“He went by me doing a wheelie and I would estimate he was doing 60 to 80mph.”
Mr Branch said he was “99.9 per cent sure” he had seen the same motorcyclist on a different occasion performing a crucifix – a manoeuvre where the rider stands up and puts their arms out.
Collision investigator PC Mark Hamilton estimated Mr Wojtczak had been travelling towards Spalding town centre at “no less than” 52mph on the Yamaha 600.
He also estimated he was still travelling about 40mph when he hit the van.
He said the effect of performing a wheelie would have left Mr Wojtczak with no steering or braking control and may have restricted his view of the road ahead.
Coroner Maureen Taylor said the incident should act as a warning to other motorists.
She said: “The outcome has been caused entirely by the standard of driving and no other person involved could be held responsible.
“Perhaps other motorists will take note that performing such actions and speeds on Lincolnshire’s roads is extremely ill-advised and the outcome may be the same as we are hearing today.”
After the hearing, a statement from Mr Wojtczak’s family said: “Mr Wojtczak’s family ask for people to not judge Patryk by the cover. He was not a crazy driver but maybe on that occasion he was driving a bit too fast.
“He was a good and valued person. This should be a warning to other road users to think twice.”
Miss Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death at the hearing at Spalding Magistrates’ Court.
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Weather for Spalding
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
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Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
ysandy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:34 PMAlways one ?and theirs another one
ourtownsdead
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 02:57 PMwell used road or not...any public road is not that place for this is it mr angry ?? and its not just the wheelies..the crucifix he was doing along by the draymans pub is idiotic. yet we keep seeing this time and time again locally. either drunk or driving crazy. and ues...i will bring up the immigrant thing up again anyone else does...look again in this weeks paper...loads !!! as sad as it is to see someones loss, things need to be done to prevent more cases. few bloody signs kicking around in all languages is hardly the answer !
Mr Angry of Tonbridge
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:12 AMA well used road is not the place to pull wheelies. The rider's lack of observations combined with speed have caused this tragedy. My sympathy is with the family for their loss and with Mr Andrews for going through a traumatic experience.
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