Mike Hall inquest: two other drivers almost hit ultra-endurance cyclist, court hears
Two motorists almost hit an elite ultra-endurance cyclist on the morning he was killed near Canberra during an extreme race.
Respected British rider Mike Hall was competing in the 5,500km Indian Pacific Wheel Race on 31 March when he died from massive head injuries after being hit by a car.
The vehicle was driven by Shegu Bobb, 19 at the time, who told police he thought he had hit a kangaroo when he fatally struck Hall at 6.22am.
Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of Hall’s visibility on the morning he rode on the Monaro Highway, during an inquest into the death on Tuesday.
British ultra-endurance cyclist killed almost instantly, inquest told
Read moreJoseph Spulak broke down as he remembered almost hitting Hall as he drove from Cooma to work in Canberra.
“It could have been me. I could have hit him. I just couldn’t believe it,” Spulak said.
He said despite having his high beams on, Hall “came out of nowhere” and didn’t appear to be wearing reflective clothing or strips.
Truck driver Anthony Shoard said Hall was “so close” when he cut across him to make a turn at about 4.30am at an intersection near Michaelago, about 50km south of Canberra.
“He cut it very fine,” Shoard said.
But a third driver, who had enhanced lights on her car, said she saw reflective strips on his arms and legs which were visible with headlights on low beam.
Jennifer Perrin spotted Hall on her way to work in Canberra, saying it was possibly the first time in 31 years living in the region she had seen someone riding on that road.
Australian cyclist deaths surge and road safety strategy 'failing'
Read more“It was very odd to see a cyclist on the road and particularly at that time of day,” she said.
Jane Aubrey, who was in charge of public relations for the race, said Hall was an exceptional human being and an elite athlete.
She said she had contacted ACT police to let them know riders would be in the area, one or two days before Hall set off on his final ride.
The Fremantle-Sydney race was officially called off after Hall’s death, with the cycling community plunged into shock by the incident.
The inquest continues.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/25/mike-hall-inquest-two-other-drivers-almost-hit-ultra-endurance-cyclist-court-hears
Respected British rider Mike Hall was competing in the 5,500km Indian Pacific Wheel Race on 31 March when he died from massive head injuries after being hit by a car.
The vehicle was driven by Shegu Bobb, 19 at the time, who told police he thought he had hit a kangaroo when he fatally struck Hall at 6.22am.
Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of Hall’s visibility on the morning he rode on the Monaro Highway, during an inquest into the death on Tuesday.
British ultra-endurance cyclist killed almost instantly, inquest told
Read moreJoseph Spulak broke down as he remembered almost hitting Hall as he drove from Cooma to work in Canberra.
“It could have been me. I could have hit him. I just couldn’t believe it,” Spulak said.
He said despite having his high beams on, Hall “came out of nowhere” and didn’t appear to be wearing reflective clothing or strips.
Truck driver Anthony Shoard said Hall was “so close” when he cut across him to make a turn at about 4.30am at an intersection near Michaelago, about 50km south of Canberra.
“He cut it very fine,” Shoard said.
But a third driver, who had enhanced lights on her car, said she saw reflective strips on his arms and legs which were visible with headlights on low beam.
Jennifer Perrin spotted Hall on her way to work in Canberra, saying it was possibly the first time in 31 years living in the region she had seen someone riding on that road.
Australian cyclist deaths surge and road safety strategy 'failing'
Read more“It was very odd to see a cyclist on the road and particularly at that time of day,” she said.
Jane Aubrey, who was in charge of public relations for the race, said Hall was an exceptional human being and an elite athlete.
She said she had contacted ACT police to let them know riders would be in the area, one or two days before Hall set off on his final ride.
The Fremantle-Sydney race was officially called off after Hall’s death, with the cycling community plunged into shock by the incident.
The inquest continues.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/25/mike-hall-inquest-two-other-drivers-almost-hit-ultra-endurance-cyclist-court-hears