A cyclist on a Sunday morning group ride crashed and died from head injuries despite the fact he was wearing a helmet at the time, the inquest into his death has heard.
Evidence heard before the coroner's inquest stated the helmet had split due to the impact of the cyclist hitting the road, with head injuries resulting, while the experienced club cyclist was out with six other riders.
Diarmuid 'Der' Hartnett, Kilbarry, Lissarda and Clomacow, Crookstown, Cork, was a member of Coachford Cycling Club. He suffered the fatal head injuries after going for a group ride with friends on Sunday, October 3rd, last year.
The 73-year-old came off his bike on the Bandon to Crossbarry road in Co Cork. While he was treated at the scene and then taken to Cork University Hospital he was pronounced dead two days later at the hospital.
Advertisement
Related News
The Cork City Coroner court was told last Friday that while Mr Hartnett was wearing a helmet it split along the left side on impact and that he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, which proved fatal.
Assistant State pathologist Dr Margot Bolster said Mr Hartnett had not suffered a stroke on the bike and while fainting could not be ruled out it was more likely his bike slid out as he leaned into a left turn, causing him to crash.
An eyewitness who was behind the group said he saw Mr Hartnett's bike going from under him. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.
Mr Hartnett was a former principal of Kilmurry National School and had kept very fit through his cycling. On the morning he died his group was 70km through their ride when the crash occurred.
Two off duty nurses and an off duty doctor stopped to help as the ambulance was awaited. The inquest also heard that the road where the fatal crash happened had a good surface and Mr Hartnett's bike was in perfect working order.
