Coroner's Finding: Freestone-Barks, Rosalind MacDonald Maxwell
Deceased
Rosalind MacDonald Maxwell Freestone-Barks
Demographics
57y, female
Date of death
2016-03-06
Finding date
2017-09-25
Cause of death
Significant multiple unsurvivable injuries secondary to a motorcycle accident
AI-generated summary
A 57-year-old experienced motorcycle rider died from unsurvivable injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash on a Tasmanian highway. While riding conditions were excellent and the motorcycle was mechanically sound, the coroner identified fatigue as the likely major contributing factor. Mrs Freestone-Barks had ridden significant distances on challenging roads that day despite rest stops. She failed to negotiate a sweeping left-hand bend, crossed the verge, and struck an Armco railing at 100-110 km/h. Death was instantaneous. Alcohol and drugs were excluded. This case highlights the importance of recognising fatigue as a significant road safety risk, even in experienced riders, and the need for appropriate rest intervals during long-distance motorcycle journeys.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Contributing factors
- fatigue
- prolonged riding on challenging roads
- inadequate rest despite some rest stops
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