Paramedic Dies in Motorcycle Training Collision

An inquest has revealed that a paramedic, Mark Pell, 51, from Essex, lost his life during a North Wales Police motorcycle refresher course after his motorcycle collided with a lorry. Mr. Pell was accompanied by a colleague from the London Ambulance Service when they were part of a five-vehicle incident on the A5 close to Pentrefoelas in Conwy on April 7, 2022. During the inquest held at the coroner’s court in Ruthin, it was stated that Mr. Pell was navigating a wide left-hand bend when, for reasons yet to be determined, his motorcycle veered across the solid white safety line and into the path of an approaching HGV. He sustained a brain injury after being ejected from his bike, with the coroner determining his death resulted from a road traffic collision. Following the collision, other motorists attempted to assist Mr. Pell, who was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Stoke-on-Trent. His family was later informed that his traumatic brain injury was “unsurvivable,” and he passed away on April 13. Mr. Pell, characterized as an experienced motorcyclist, was participating in a five-day rider refresher course organized by North Wales Police. Andrew Daly, a fellow paramedic from the London Ambulance Service’s motorcycle response unit, was riding behind Mr. Pell and was propelled into the air during the incident, sustaining a fractured pelvis. Despite his own injuries, he provided medical instructions to those aiding Mr. Pell and received commendation from senior coroner John Gittins for his help “in a very difficult scenario.” Philip Jones, the course instructor, safely brought his BMW motorbike to a halt and requested colleagues to alert the emergency services. North Wales Police transferred the investigation to the adjacent Cheshire Police. Nicholas Harris, a forensic collision investigator with Cheshire Police, informed the inquest that he was unable to determine what caused Mr. Pell’s motorcycle to cross two feet over the solid white line into the opposing carriageway. He estimated the motorcycle’s speed at the moment of impact was between 54-69mph (87-111km/h). Roger, Mr. Pell’s father, characterized his son as an individual who “always wanted to help others from a young age,” was “known within the ambulance service as a safe rider and driver,” and “loved what he did.”