An inquest has heard that an e-bike rider who died following a crash inside the Queensway Tunnel "lost control" before the incident. Korben Bell, 24, from Neston, was travelling on the eastbound Birkenhead to Liverpool carriageway when he crashed into a fire hydrant.
Crash and hospital treatment
Merseyside Police was called to the tunnel at around 1.05pm on Tuesday, August 11, following reports of a one-vehicle crash involving a bike rider. Mr Bell was taken to Aintree Hospital, where he died at around 4.35pm the following day.
His inquest took place at Liverpool Coroner's Court on October 26. Coroner's officer Victoria Rubbery said the crash occurred approximately two thirds of the way through Queensway Tunnel towards the Liverpool end, where the road begins to rise and bend towards the exit on Victoria Street.
She said Mr Bell "lost control on the bend and was thrown from the vehicle, and his head was in collision with a fire hydrant" or a similar structure. He suffered serious head injuries, and a CT scan at the hospital revealed a brain haemorrhage. His injuries were described as "not survivable", and life sustaining treatment was withdrawn following discussions with his family.
Investigation findings
CCTV showed no other person or vehicle involved in the crash. The court heard: "Korben was in possession of a mobile phone immediately prior to the collision, and there's evidence he may have been recording or live-streaming his journey."
His cause of death was determined to be a traumatic brain injury caused by a road traffic collision.
Coroner David Lewis said: "I have seen the full investigation report. The report also confirms that Korben wasn't wearing a helmet at the time of his death."
"I accept the cause of death as traumatic brain injury due to road traffic collision. It's clear from the evidence that this was a single vehicle event."
"There's no suggestions of any third party involvement in Korben losing control of the electric bike that he was riding through Queensway Tunnel from Birkenhead to Liverpool."
"Very sadly, on losing control he collided with some street furniture in the tunnel area and suffered that very serious injury to his head. There's no way of knowing whether wearing a helmet would have made a difference or not."
Tributes to Korben Bell
A number of messages and floral tributes were left to Mr Bell on the Liverpool side of Birkenhead tunnel. A message from Korben's parents next to one set of flowers said: "Our boy, words can't describe the hole you're leaving in our lives."
"You'll always be so loved. This isn't goodbye, until we meet again. Love you always, mum and dad."
In a statement issued through Merseyside Police, his family said: "Our boy, Korben. A boy with a heart of gold and a smile that could light up any room."
"Korben was the best son, brother, uncle, partner and friend and loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."
"He had a way of making everyone laugh, wherever he went and brought so much happiness and positivity to the people around him no matter what."
"From our beautiful blue-eyed, blond-haired boy, to the gorgeous man he grew into, we will forever be so proud to call you ours."
"Our hearts are completely broken. There are no words to describe the pain of losing you."
"This isn't goodbye, our boy. It's simply until we see you again."
"Loved by us all, always."
