WARNING signs are being recommended for a rural road after the death of an experienced motorcyclist.
An inquest was held in Wrexham on Peter Barnett, 62, who was killed in a motorbike accident on the afternoon of September 28 last year close to a bend on the A539 at Penley.
Acting North East Wales coroner John Gittins said it was the second fatal collision on that stretch in recent years and he would be filing a report to highways representatives about the lack of warnings about the sharp bend where the crash took place.
He said: “The evidence indicates there is no indication of this left hand bend and I believe a rule 43 report to highways is appropriate.
“Warning signs may be beneficial in the future in the prevention of collisions at this site.”
The inquest also heard of concerns about the condition of the road, including the presence of potholes, particularly for motorcyclists.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Mr Barnett who died from a head injury after crashing off the road. No other vehicle was involved.
Married father-of-two Mr Barnett, of Spondon, Derbyshire, was on a motorcycling trip to Llangollen with friend Edward Lowe when he died.
Susan Sadowski, who was driving in the opposite direction, recalled seeing Mr Barnett “somersaulting” high into the air as he came off the road.
A letter from Alexandra Luck, of the ALA road safety organisation, was read out in which she said some risk could be posed to a motorcyclist on the stretch of road.
Police investigations revealed no vehicle defects and a post-mortem examination found Mr Barnett had not been drinking or taking drugs.
The inquest also heard he had not been going at a fast speed or exceeding the 60mph limit.
Mr Barnett’s wife of 40 years, Maureen, said her husband had not had any previous accidents and was a safe and experienced biker.
The day after his death she visited the scene and expressed concern about potholes at the site where Mr Barnett died.
Mr Gittins said the evidence indicated Mr Barnett appeared to have gone straight across the bend and crashed into a hedge. His death occurred almost instantly.
“The evidence of Alexandra Luck is that the condition of the road should be a concern and would provide a significant risk to a motorcyclist, if not a car driver,” Mr Gittins said.
“What it seems we have is a combination of factors with Mr Barnett being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”