A Tasmanian coroner has released his findings into the death of a Hobart motorcyclist who crashed on the Brooker Highway in 2022.
Coroner Robert Webster handed down his findings in January, almost four years after Joshua James Tyrrell died at Berriedale.
Tyrrell, 28, lost control of his Yamaha motorbike near the Berriedale Road on-ramp at 3:50pm on February 24, 2022.
The bike mounted an embankment, struck a tree and tumbled about 35 metres before coming to rest.
Tyrrell was thrown from the bike and suffered fatal injuries.
Webster found the crash happened because Tyrrell failed to steer right to keep the motorbike in its lane.
He said “excessive speed” was likely a “significant factor”.
Witnesses reported the motorbike was travelling well above the 80km/h limit in the moments before the crash.
A crash investigator calculated the bike was still moving at 62km/h at the point it began tumbling, having already struck two roadside trees.
The motorbike was examined after the crash and found to be in roadworthy condition. Aftermarket modifications did not contribute to the crash.
Tyrrell was wearing a helmet, jacket and riding gloves.
Webster considered whether the crash may have been intentional, given Tyrrell had previously experienced mental health difficulties.
He concluded it was not, pointing to evidence that Tyrrell was looking forward to the future.
“There is evidence that shortly prior to his death he was happy and he had plans for the future,” Webster said.
Tyrrell had recently started work as a bricklayer’s assistant and was lining up a second job.
A post-mortem examination found Tyrrell died from multiple head, facial and spinal injuries.
No alcohol or illicit drugs were detected in toxicology testing.
The findings also examined prescribing practices at Snug Medical Centre, where Tyrrell was supplied codeine, tramadol, diazepam and temazepam in the months before his death.
A coronial medical consultant initially viewed the prescribing as excessive but accepted an explanation from the treating doctor, who said the doses were within recommended limits and tied to genuine injuries.
Webster made no formal recommendations.
“I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Tyrrell,” Webster said.
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