Mountain biker killed by possible booby trap
Hidden pit breaks rider's neck
Posted: 16 March 2001
by Scoop
The inquest into the death of Gary Meadows has recorded a verdict of accidental death, but he may have been killed by a deliberate trap.
Gary was riding in the "Canyon" area of Delamere forest, Cheshire with his two teenage sons when the 'accident' occurred. One of his sons was riding in front, when Gary's front wheel dropped through a covering of sticks and leaves into a hidden hole. He was thrown over the bars. Landing awkwardly, he broke his neck. Riders on the scene tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
The area has been a source of conflict over digging of jumps, as well as assorted vandalism, and that other traditional English pastime; the of torching stolen cars. However a Forresty Commission steering group set up to consult with riders had agreed on specific riding areas.
Although the pit digging and camouflaging is highly suspicious, the coroner said it was not possible to say for certain that the hole was intended as a booby trap.
Our sympathies and condolences go out to Mr Meadow's family and friends, and we urge other riders to use this as a warning. Not everyone thinks mountain biking is harmless fun, and a few lunatics might, it seems, be prepared to risk killing people by stringing up wires or digging concealed pits to try and stop us. Areas prone to vandalism are also hot spots for mindless traps like these, so watch out.
Your point is valid one Mike. I have been living away from the area for a couple of years and when i went for a ride at Christmas was very disappointed to see the state of the place. I used to actually make efforts to maintain trails in Delamere until i realised that the Forestry had sod all interest in helping me.
This again may be controversial but i used to find trails in remote parts of the forest and lay logs on the ouside of corners to make small berms (no braking therefore no erosion) and sometimes pile logs up to create natural obstacles to make it more interesting because after 15 years Delamere is quite frankly, dull as hell to ride around. Some of these trails are still the way i left them, no-one seems to have discovered them since i left.
However, and this may seem hypocritical as i do ride them (even at my age) i find the vertical take off jump trails rather out of place. There were some good short downhill sections which are now redundant due to the need for excessive numbers of jump trails which have cut across them. The shame about this is that the jump trails could have been built in any flat or moderately sloping field anywhere. But, in the absence of the Forestry/Local Powers That Be providing suitable facilities, they dug up the woods (admittedly, it WAS a remote part of the forest). Dont even get me started on the litter situation - i carried 3 bin bags full of crap out of there one sunday.
It seems that when they did designate the area, it became a licence to dig more of these things. If a point need to be made on this, the original KIS BSX venue hit difficulty because the digging was classed as Earthworks and required a specific land use permission. They then got a 1 year permission which was not renewed and the venue closed.
Just an observation.
I would be horrified to think that Mr Meadows accident was caused by soil being dug from a pit to create jumps although the possibility that this could be the case should be brought home to the people digging in these places. And maybe, the Forestry need to encourage responsible use of the land - a few warning signs for the less skilled rider/ riders wandering into the area wouldnt be too much to ask would it?? Coed y Brenin manage to put signs up and they get less visitors per year than Delamere. But, i've had this argument with them before, they arent interested.
Posted: 18/03/2001 17:05
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