An inquest has opened into the death of a well-known Isle of Wight rugby player following a fatal collision near Whitwell earlier this year.
The Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court formally opened the inquest into Tristan Barry Price, 45, of Ventnor, on Friday (1st May).
The court was told that Mr Price lost his life following a single-vehicle crash at the junction of Roud Road and Whitwell Road on Saturday 3rd January.
Police, paramedics and fire crews were all in attendance, with lifesaving efforts carried out at the scene. However, nothing could be done to save his life.
Mr Price was sadly pronounced dead at 21:07.
A post-mortem examination later identified the cause of death as a severe head injury. The examination was carried out on 15th January by Dr Adnan Al-Badri.
A full hearing has been provisionally scheduled for 28th October.
Mr Price was widely known across the Island through both his work and his long-standing involvement with Ventnor RFC, where he played for around 29 years. Affectionately known as ‘Beast’, he was regarded as a constant presence at the South Wight club.
In the weeks following his death, tributes described him as a “one in a million” character and a central figure within the club, remembered for his commitment, resilience and larger-than-life personality.
At a memorial fixture held at Watcombe Bottom in April, teammates and friends spoke of someone who “lived and breathed” Ventnor RFC and would always turn out, regardless of injury or circumstance.
Away from rugby, he was also a familiar figure in Newport through his work as a door supervisor, where colleagues and members of the public alike recalled a man who treated everyone with respect and made nights out safer and more welcoming. He had been on his way to work when the collision occurred.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Island community rallied around Mr Price’s family. A fundraising appeal launched by Ventnor RFC helped cover funeral and memorial costs, with additional funds set aside for his young daughter.
Very sad, so many accidents on island roads
makes one wonder how they happen.
There are so many dips on sides of roads that are
dangerous and could cause accidents too happen.
R.I.P