An inquest has heard that no reason could be found for why a respected former soldier was riding his motorbike at more than twice the legal speed limit when he died in a collision with a BMW near his home in Failsworth, Oldham.
Paul Wadsworth, 46, a father of two who served with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers for seven years and completed tours of Kosovo and Bosnia, was killed when his Kawasaki hit a BMW X1 on Partington Street on September 9 last year. He was a well-known supporter of the Royal British Legion in Failsworth and was branch chairman.
Collision details and speed
An inquest at Rochdale Coroners' Court heard police calculated he was travelling at 63.4mph in a 30mph zone when his bike hit the BMW. The driver of the car was performing a 'creeping manoeuvre' to exit a service road near shops running adjacent to Partington Street at very low speed at the time.
Coroner Julie Mitchell said the BMW 'crept out' and 'breached' the junction as parked cars impeded the driver's view. The views of both the driver and Mr Wadsworth would have been 'impeded' at the time, she added.
Road safety measures introduced
The court heard a range of traffic calming measures have been implemented on Partington Street since the tragedy. It now has a 20mph limit and features 'traffic cushions' to limit speeds. Double yellow lines have also been put down to prevent parking and improve sight lines, but the family said motorists still park on them to go to the shops.
Mr Wadsworth's wife, Victoria Wadsworth, said a 'one-way in and one-way out' layout for the service road should be introduced. Speaking at the inquest, Oldham Council said it would 'ensure' parking enforcement is carried out and would look at installing bollards.
Family's response and investigation
Mr Wadsworth, born in Scunthorpe, was a locksmith by trade. His wife said he started to ride motorbikes before the Covid pandemic. They had met in Saddleworth earlier on the day to view a house, and she returned to work while her husband stopped at Hollingworth Lake for lunch alone. He then rode back to Failsworth for a meeting with a Royal British Legion committee member ahead of Remembrance Day planning.
Mrs Wadsworth said his mood was good and he was excited for the future. She said she understood he tried to brake as the BMW edged out, but lost control and skidded into it. She said the speed calculated by police was 'unimaginable' to her. "He was not reckless like that," she said. "I cannot think of a single reason why." She described him as a sensible motorcyclist, adding: "I still cannot believe that he was going at that speed," and said that if the speed was accurate, it was an 'isolated one-off mistake'.
Detective Sergeant Louise Warhurst, from GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said a couple in the BMW X1 had been to the shops accessed by the service road, and it was 'quite difficult' for any motorist to exit the road. She said there was no reason found as to why Mr Wadsworth was riding at that speed, and suggested only that he may have been trying to get to the meeting for a certain time.
Alister Storey, Oldham Council's principal road safety officer, said changes were implemented after the tragedy. The service road was privately owned, but the council could carry out work on it if the landowner requested or agreed.
Mr Wadsworth, described by the Royal British Legion as 'an inspiration to everyone' after his death, died at the scene from multiple injuries. Coroner Ms Mitchell said the council had 'really thought about' road safety measures, but more could be done in terms of double-yellow line enforcement, and the council had agreed to monitor the situation. "Sadly it does remain a mystery as to why he was travelling at the speed that he was," said Ms Mitchell, recording a conclusion that Mr Wadsworth died as a result of a road traffic collision.
In a statement after his death, the Royal British Legion said he was 'passionate about involving younger people from across the town in our Remembrance activities'. "Paul was a one-man band in terms of recruiting new members and the branch has flourished under his leadership," the statement said. "He was an inspiration to everyone and his outstanding contribution to the Royal British Legion and his dedication to the Armed Forces Community in Failsworth was second to none."
