The power of helmets to protect from broken neck

[FatBat]

Whilst browsing through the archives of my local paper (don't ask), I came across this tragic story of a cyclist who died after being hit by a van on a roundabout (http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/02/01/cyclist-62-died-after-wing-mirror-collision-86081-20422369/. The coroner, as they often do, is recorded as saying "it was likely that a helmet would have saved Mr Sharpe’s life", but earlier in the article we read that "his injuries included a fractured skull and broken cervical spine". As usual, it seems that the fact that Mr Sharpe was not wearing a helmet is being used to blame him for his own demise, even though he suffered potentially life-threatening injuries to a part of his body that a helmet doesn't even cover. It makes me mad!

[snibgo]

Hard to say without knowing exactly how he landed.

For example, if he landed head first but not totally inverted, a helmet might have mitigated the force to the head but increased twisting force to the neck.

I note the driver was charged with careless driving, not causing death.

[hubgearfreak]

"it was likely that a helmet would have saved Mr Sharpe’s life"

it's definite that had the driver been looking properly, mr. sharp would be both alive and uninjured

years ban and some community service?

[[XAP]Bob]

Somewhere on this forum someone provided me with a link to a piece of research which revealed that 50% of cyclists who suffered life threatening head injuries also had life threatening other injuries...

[snibgo]

years ban and some community service?

Of course not. The poor driver needed to drive for work.

Magistrates fined Brocklebank pounds 735, plus a pounds 15 victim surcharge and pounds 60 costs. They imposed seven penalty points on his licence, taking his current total to ten - two short of a totting ban.

(http://www.thefreelibrary.com/DEATH+DRI ... 0176936863)

[hubgearfreak]

The poor driver needed to drive for work.

indeed, and the poor baker need his life to continue his work

[snibgo]

Yes, indeed. In case it needs saying, I have no sympathy for the driver. I don't know why he wasn't charged with "causing death", and I don't know how driving so badly as to knock off an entirely visible and law-abiding cyclist is considered merely "careless" rather than "dangerous".

[hubgearfreak]

In case it needs saying, I have no sympathy for the driver.

i know that
i certainly didn't mean to imply that you did, but can see now that may have been how i could have been read

[snibgo]

I knew you didn't, but I realised my irony might be misinterpreted by someone who bumps into this thread from a random web search, hence my clarification.

[hubgearfreak]

I knew you didn't

good, nobody's offended anyone then

[yakdiver]

Great another helmet debate ….....

[meic]

Do you need any qualification to be a coroner? If so what?
They do seem to come out with a lot of garbage at times, whilst professing knowledge of everything.
Did she consult an expert on helmets or is she blessed with universal understanding?

She could have recommended a change in van design to remove A-pillar induced blind spots or in the design of the roundabout or for the introduction of traffic lights all of which may have prevented the van driver from making his mistake but no, instead a bit of victim blaming.

[meic]

Great another helmet debate ….....

What did you expect to find in a helmets sub-forum? Organic Gardening?

[hubgearfreak]

She could have recommended

assumed liability and stiff penalties for drivers that kill by not paying attention, which would reduce the danger on every roundabout and junction the the UK (or possibly just E&W), not just this one

[hubgearfreak]

What did you expect to find in a helmets sub-forum?

yes - it is an odd place to visit if you're bored with discussions about Hs