Terrier caused Harley driver to crash

A MOTORCYCLIST lost control of his bike, crashed and died after a dog ran into his path, an inquest heard yesterday.

Kevin Sexton, 61, from Oak Hill, Youghal, Co Cork, suffered cardiac arrest in the ambulance after the accident on the Killeagh Road in Youghal on August 23, 2007 and was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital.

Cork City Coroner’s Court was told that while Mr Sexton suffered serious injuries which may not have been fatal in a younger person, extensive heart disease contributed to his death.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

The inquest was told that Mr Sexton was driving his Harley Davidson motorcycle east along Killeagh Road at about 11.10am.

A brown terrier ran out between two parked cars and into his path.

Mr Sexton’s bike struck the dog, he lost control and struck two parked cars before sliding along the road for some distance.

He was conscious after the crash but his condition deteriorated while an ambulance rushed him to Cork University Hospital (CUH). He was declared dead upon arrival just after 12.30pm.

Thomas Meade said he planned to drop his brother’s dog at his mother’s house on Killeagh Road and parked his car near the footpath.

He would usually open a car door, then open the gate and that the dog would normally run in.

“I had done it hundreds of times. But for some reason, the dog didn’t do it this time,” he said.

City coroner Dr Myra Cullinane described it as a tragic and unexpected accident and offered her condolences to Mr Sexton’s family.