Brighton Speed Trials inquest verdict

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

 

Accidental death verdict in Brighton speed trial inquest

9:22am Thursday 19th September 2013 in NewsBy Ben James

TRAGIC: Charlotte Tagg

The family of a speed trials competitor who died after hitting a “dip” in the road at 100mph has called on the council to repair the route before allowing any future events.

Mum-of-three Charlotte Tagg was thrown from her motorbike sidecar after the dip appeared to cause her vehicle to veer to the right and smash into a concrete bollard.

The inquest into the 38-year-old’s death heard vehicles reached speeds of 150mph at the annual Brighton Speed Trials which are held on Madeira Drive.

But witness PC Chris Harrison, police crash investigator, saidBrighton and Hove City Council, which is responsible for the road, only maintain it as a 30mph route.

Speaking after the inquest, brother Simon Tagg said: “We don’t blame anyone butwould like to see the council treat the road before the next event. They maintain it as a 30mph road but hire it out for events with speeds at 150mph. They take the money knowing full well the speeds involved.”

Her daughter, Katie, 18, added: “It doesn’t take much when going at that speed.We just want them to smooth it out.”

The Brighton Magistrates’ Court inquest heard the motor sports enthusiast had signed up as a last minute replacement for the trials on September 8, 2012.

She was partnering fellowenthusiast Roger Hollingshead in a sprint sidecar and had already successfully completed two runs of the quarter mile track.

But towards the end of their final run, eyewitnesses described their vehicle hitting a “dip” in the road.

The front wheels are said to have “lifted” before veering off to the right at 100mph.

They smashed into a concrete bollard and the driver and passenger were catapulted down the track.

The inquest heard how the event, track and vehicle had passed all the necessary safety checks.Miss Tagg, of Beck Row, Suffolk, was pronounced dead two hours later at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

PCHarrison said he couldn’t be certain as to the cause of the crash but said the vehicle “grounding” was the most likely “catalyst”.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death with a cause of death as a Pontine haemorrhage.

Tony Johnstone, chair of Brighton and Hove Motor Club who stage the trials, was in court throughout the hearing.

Speaking after the conclusion, he said he would be applying to hold the event next year but would “look into” issues raised about the road surface.

A council spokeswoman added: “Our thoughts are with the family and we will be working with the motor sports association to ensure the safety of any future events.”

Simon Tagg said: “None of us want to see an end to the speed trials. If she thought this year’s event had been cancelled because of her she would have been mortified.”

 

 

 

[Rusty Nuts]

Sad and tragic.

[alexander72]

yep, great shame and my thoughts and best wishes go out to this Ladies family. 

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

It is indeed sad, and Charlotte was a true petrolhead. She would never want the sport that she loved to be banned or compromised because of her death, of that I am sure. I didn't know her, but those who did, her family included, are also adamant that this tragedy should not result in the loss of the historic event. I was there on that day, as I have been on very many previous Speed Trial events at Brighton. This is one of very few accidents of any sort at this event, let alone fatalities. I can recall only two others besides Charlotte's. Two is two too many, of course, but all human activities have dangers. It would be nice to know how the rider (Roger Hollingshead) is a year down the line - anyone know him?

[windy]

The Green Party runs Brighton and Hove district doesn't it?

Although an historic event, I suspect there may be a battle to get the road resurfaced properly so that our dirty polluting cars can continue to drive down the seafront!

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

None other than the green-as-a-cabbage Caroline Lucas MP - the only Green MP in Britain.

[SootySport]

None other than the green-as-a-cabbage Caroline Lucas MP - the only Green MP in Britain.

If that's is the case, the days of the Brighton Speed Trials are numbered.  Maybe Horse sprinting will take over.  

[jeff oakley]

Inevitable verdict following this tragedy. I suspect that even the green party can see what this means to Brighton and will take the appropriate action to get it back but who knows  in these days of litigation.

 

As for Caroline Lucas, she may be the MP but the council has a mix of people who will decide not her. Having heard her on Question time and with her history of jumping on bandwagons, anti nuclear, global warming etc I cannot see how any sane person could vote for her but that is a debate for another time.

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

Brighton has its fair share of none-too-sane people...

 

One has only to walk along any street to realise that what passes for normal in most other places, is pretty rare in Brighton. Perhaps that's why I love the place?

[alexander72]

sooty, you cant do horse sprinting on tarmac mate

[Norman Verona]

Don't worry about how green she is, money shouts louder. She will not get re-elected if she closes the Speed Trials down and suffers the loss of revenue to the shopkeepers and hoteliers.

[alexander72]

on the matter of horses I bet more people die on those than do in motorsport events...

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

Ah but it's a green death...

[alexander72]

fair point MOTCO

[SootySport]

sooty, you cant do horse sprinting on tarmac mate

The council will soon rip up that road, saying it's dangerous and lay some nice green turf.

 

on the matter of horses I bet more people die on those than do in motorsport events...

You won't be wrong there