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Folkestone teen Daniel Quigley was 'dazzled by the sun' before fatal Capel-le-Ferne moped crash

00:00, 23 November 2016

updated: 12:03, 23 November 2016

A moped rider was "dazzled by the sun" when he fatally crashed into a stationary truck, an inquest heard.

Daniel Quigley, 17, of Roman Way in Cheriton, was riding his scooter along the New Dover Road in Capel-le-Ferne on Thursday, September 8 when he drove into the back of the vehicle.

DC Diane Walker from the police confirmed the crash happened at 6.55am and that Mr Quigley was on his way to work on a construction site in St Margaret's Bay.

Daniel Quigley, 17, died when his moped crashed with a stationary van in Capel-le-Ferne
Daniel Quigley, 17, died when his moped crashed with a stationary van in Capel-le-Ferne

But the inquest held at Folkestone Magistrates Court today heard how the sun was low, and that it was "probable" that it caused the teenager to plough into the stationary Peugeot Boxer flat bed lorry.

CCTV watched by assistant coroner Kate Thomas at the inquest showed seven vehicles, including a double decker bus, pass the stationary truck "without encroaching on the opposite carriageway".

All seven vehicles showed motorists with their sun visors down to block the sun and the CCTV also showed a dog walker with his sunglasses on.

PC Myers, who also gave evidence in court, said: "The CCTV shows Daniel putting his right foot out towards the ground at 11 metres before the point of impact.

"Once he had started to react there was insufficient time for him to avoid it.

"It was a bright day and the sun was still quite low in the sky.

"The sun sat level as Mr Quigley approached - when he is first able to see the vehicle the sun isn't an issue but as he meets the bend it becomes immediately in front of him and very low to the extent where he cannot see in front of him."

Police remained at the scene hours later and released an appeal for witnesses
Police remained at the scene hours later and released an appeal for witnesses

Kelly Bachelor, who lives on that main road, rushed out of bed to help the boy when she heard a bang.

Miss Bachelor said: "When the paramedics arrived another neighbour was asked to stand in front of the sun to stop it getting in her eyes.

"A blanket was also held up to block the sun so they could perform CPR."

Following a post mortem five days later, his medical cause of death was due to head injury.

A toxicology report also showed no signs of alcohol or drugs in his system.

Miss Thomas said: "I am satisfied that the main contributory factor was that the sun was in Dan's eyes.

"It was simply too late when Dan did see it."

She recorded that Mr Quigley died as a result of a road traffic collision.

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