A KEEN motorcyclist who took every safety precaution possible died from a blood clot after breaking his ankle while riding, an inquest has heard.
Alastair Stephen Kidd had taken his bike to Teesside Aerodrome on March 23 last year to do some track riding with friend Matthew Rowell.
But despite taking all steps to minimise the risks, the 38-year-old from Steppey Lane, Lesbury, clipped his an
kle while taking a bend.
What at first appeared to be a sprain turned out to be a fracture on examination by a doctor the following day, resulting in Mr Kidd's lower left leg requiring a plaster cast.
The car dealership executive, who worked at Aln Motors, had repeated check-ups to monitor his recovery during April, but on May 14 he collapsed at home.
He subsequently died from a blood clot which had become lodged in his pulmonary artery, caused by deep vein thrombosis.
At the hearing on Tuesday, Mr Rowell told coroner Ian McCreath that his friend always rode within his limits.
"He was a very cautious and well-prepared rider," said Mr Rowell.
"He would never take the chances that other riders do."
Surgeon Kevin Emerson, who treated Mr Kidd for a month following his accident, said the chances of developing thrombosis from an ankle injury were extremely rare.
"I was very shocked when I heard he had died," he said. "It was extremely saddening that a patient comes in with a simple fracture and then dies of a pulmonary embolism.
"We can only suggest that the immobilisation of his leg caused deep vein thrombosis, and when he was able to move it the clot became detached."
Mr Emerson said details of the case would be made known to the local trauma and orthopedic board, and potentially to other health agencies at home and abroad.
In reaching his verdict, Mr McCreath said: "I will also be writing to the National Patient Safety Agency. We will do whatever we can so that people may learn from this very sad sequence of events."
Mr Kidd's father, James Kidd, was present at the inquest and echoed what the coroner and the surgeon had said.
"Alastair had taken to track riding because he considered public roads to be too dangerous," said Mr Kidd senior. "He took every precaution he could, and had been a keen motorcyclist for years.
"Unfortunately, there was no warning that this would happen."
Verdict: Accident.
The full article contains 412 words and appears in Northumberland Gazette newspaper.
