An inquest has heard details of how 31-year-old Samuel Gibbons, remembered as a generous and warm-hearted man, died instantly when a Police officer pulled out in front of his motorcycle, which was travelling at speeds in excess of 100mph.
The father-of-2, from Newport, was riding a black Kawasaki ZX-6 motorcycle – modified to gain extra horsepower – along Whiterails Road near Wootton on 15th July 2021 when he collided with a grey Ford Fusion at around 18:40.
Today’s inquest at the Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court heard how local police officer Paul Bradley was edging out of an entranceway, looking both left and right, when the fatal impact occurred. In his evidence, Mr Bradley stated that he was around two-thirds of the way across the road when he first sighted Mr Gibbons, who emerged ‘from nowhere’.
At first, Mr Bradley – who has been extensively mentally impacted by the incident – thought that the motorcyclist had managed to take evasive action to avoid a collision, but then there was a ‘deafening explosion of sound’ as Mr Gibbons smashed into the rear quarter of the Ford with such force that it spun the vehicle around.
Local business owners and residents rushed to the aid of those involved, including the owner of Doggy Paddles, Lee Williscroft. He described hearing the bike in the moments before impact, stating it was the ‘fastest bike he had ever heard’ – noting the acceleration and gear changes at ‘full chat’.
Those first on scene found Mr Gibbons in a position in a hedge beside the road. The motorcycle’s exhaust, which had become detached in the crash, was so hot that it caused a small fire in the hedgerow.
The front end of the motorbike had been ripped off.
Despite the efforts of a passing bus driver and residents who administered CPR, as well as medics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Mr Gibbons was sadly pronounced dead at the scene at 19:21.
Family and friends gathered at today’s inquest were given some comfort by Coroner Caroline Sumeray, who stated that Sam would have died instantly as the collision caused a tear to his aorta. The cause of death was given as traumatic hemothorax.
Toxicology tests confirmed the presence of both cannabis and cocaine in Mr Gibbons’ system, although Mrs Sumeray said it could not be determined when he consumed the illicit drugs and whether, on the balance of probabilities, he was impaired at the time of the collision.
Senior Investigating Officer PC Martin Munday, who was present at today’s hearing, detailed in his report that Samuel Gibbons’ driving licence had been revoked and was therefore not entitled to be riding the machine. He also held no insurance.
PC Munday revealed at the inquest that Sam had been caught on dashcam footage overtaking 3 cars and a van on Racecourse, near Whippingham, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision just 4 minutes before the fatal crash.
On Whiterails Road, Sam was caught on CCTV in a ‘tucked’ position travelling at 100mph around 10 seconds before impact, with an estimated speed of 106-110mph – travelling at almost 50m a second – as the motorcycle collided with the Ford Fusion. Mr Bradley had a view of around 105m to his right, a distance covered by Mr Gibbons in just 2 seconds.
Samuel Gibbons’ death prompted an outpouring of grief from the community at the time, with floral tributes placed at the scene in the days following the crash. A year later, dozens of riders took part in a memorial ride-out across the Isle of Wight in his honour.
Sam is remembered by family and friends as a kind, generous and warm-hearted individual who always had time for others. Described as someone with a massive heart and a deep love for motorcycles, he was a well-known figure in the local biking community.
In the days before his death, Sam had stated that his life was coming together and, according to his father, was ‘buzzing’.
Caroline Sumeray, Senior Coroner for the Isle of Wight, recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision. She said:
“Riding at that kind of speed is a risk to everybody. There but for the grace of god, he was the only person who died that day.
“…It’s nenver sensible to drive after consuming substances”.
In addressing the family at the start of proceedings, Mrs Sumeray apologised for the delay in concluding the inquest but stated that it was because of matters ‘beyond her control’.
Some family members expressed their thoughts on the involvement of the Ford Fusion driver, stating in open court that he appeared more worried about his German Sheppard dog than Samuel. Some questioned his Policing connections.
I hope that PC Martin Munday has somewhat recovered from this.
The families rhetoric needs to take a notch down. It is not that officers fault for the clear recklessness of Sam.
His actions, and his actions alone has wrecked not only his families lives but also that of an innocent police officer.
He was at fault, he had no thought of anyone else. Yes, he was probably a nice guy. However, his actions on that day has had a huge impact on a lot of lives.
RIP Sam. However thoughts are also with PC Martin Munday.
Too many Motorcyclists ride along the Military Road
day in day out at a tonne plus
We need permanent speed Camera’s along the
Military Road.
A couple of years ago I was driving back from Freshwater
and a Motorcycle on the Military Road went past so fast
from behind, my vehicle shook and so did I inside.
It is shocking the speed that takes place on the island.
Speed cameras on milly road lol they can’t even afford them in the towns so you got no chance hahaha
Time to start charging permit parking fees islandwide
to pay for the much needed Camera’s
You are an absolute clown. Have you not thought about keeping it shut? Not only would not not look like an idiot but we wouldn’t have to read your waffle.
Speed cameras on the military road would have made no difference as this occurred elsewhere.
Speed cameras themselves do not make people drive more safely. They merely record the speed of drivers. There are plenty of drivers who completely ignore the speed limits regardless of cameras.
They will stop speeding if they keep receiving
heavy fines and points on their licence.
It did not stop this person from speeding, did it?
I agree totally he lost his life, the roads on the island are not suitable to drive at that sort of speed! RIP young man. You have now left your family to carry on without you in their lives!! So very sad. XX
Cases like this prove and show the authorities
that unless safety measures are put in place,
what is stopping such accidents happening again.
Take a drive along the Military Road and see for yourself
Motorcyclists risking not only their lives but
other peoples lives, they make me sick.
If they want to be wreckless do virtual motorcycling
or join the Smallbrook stadium.
Pretty sure it was Bradley who was involved in accident. Munday investigated.
Sounds like they are the type of folk who look to blame someone else. Hence this tragic incident, which was entirely avoidable with a little thought for himself and others. Very sad for all concerned.
It makes me sick that people break the speed limit
There is no excuses, 110mph is disgraceful and can kill
innocent people.
If someone has a death wish that is their choice, it is not
innocent persons choice.
This is yet more proof the island need measures put in place
to make it impossible for people to speed!
Nothing apart from physically inhibiting the engine of a vehicle will make it impossible to speed. The man should not have been driving at all but he has paid with his life. Surely, for the sake of those he has left behind, he can be allowed to rest in peace.
A Tragic fatal accident recorded as a result of highly excessive speed by the motorbike rider. An incredibly sad loss of life. Paul,The driver of the vehicle has been mentally scarred for life . My condolences to the riders family and also to Paul who has suffered severely from this accident. The questionable time delay in the proceedings has clearly caused huge anguish.. what is being pursued to expedite the Coroner’s service in these matters?
So,no full licence,drugged up,and speeding,as a legal motorcycle rider myself,the likes of this idiot bring real and law abiding riders a bad name,sorry,but if he wasnt speeding the accident would not have happened
zero sympathy.
Well said, so many people protect the wrong uns.
What if he had killed members of their family due to his
wreckless behaviour, would they think the same.
Well said.
This is why I think all bikes should be limited to 60 to be classed as roadworthy.
As someone who had ridden a motorbike since I was a young lad, there’s nothing I hate more than seeing all these riders using the roads like a race course with no respect to others. There’s no need for those kinds of speeds, especially under the influence of drugs.
If bikes were limited, you’d see a whole lot less people like this on the roads and save a lot of lives.
Hope PC Bradley and all those who responded are recovering, my heart goes out to them.
Limit bikes to 60. So you would want to see motorbikes being the slowest vehicles on motorways when they are the most vulnerable vehicles on the road. Interesting thought. I agree that people like this lad give decent, law abiding bikers a bad name. Just as speeding drivers give good drivers a bad name. Luckily, the idiots on the road are a vast minority, they are just noticed more. Who notices someone riding or driving responsibly?
60mph should be the island limit for any vehicle
unless Emergency services.
Theseday too many teenagers are getting bikes, sticking
a L plate on and riding around wrecklessly.
Also checkout all the Numpty’s driving around in cars
with their number plates inside the windscreen, so they
can speed wrecklessly and no one can read their front
Number plate.
I would have all vehicles that are displaying their number
plates illegally crushed and issue the Numpty drivers with
a lengthy driving ban.
You are starting to sound like a broken record. Give your gob a rest…enough is enough of your rhetoric
The family questioned the Ford Fusion driver, who was going about his lawful business, when a coked up, speeding, uninsured and banned motorcyclist hit him in speeds in excess of 100mph. The brass neck on these people is amazing, he died by his own hand in manner which is totally unacceptable to society at large.
Spot on.
Ride got what he deserved no ifs no buts..thoughts with the gent in car and his dog.
This is a tragedy for the motorcyclist, his family and friends and the man whose car he hit and his family. The motorcyclist has paid the ultimate price for his actions. What is deplorable is that it should have taken the Coroner four years to conclude this inquest. I really don’t think that after such an extraordinarily extensive delay “circumstances beyond her control” is an adequate explanation.
Such a sad loss of life. As a motorcyclist myself I can’t imagine going through that stretch of road at that speed! It’s a life wasted and has impacted other people too. It seems the young man shouldn’t have even been on the bike let alone going at such dangerous high speeds when you have zero chance of reacting in time. Rest in peace lad. God bless.