Crash injuries linked to motorcyclist's death
Kevin Stamp, 26, of Rosewood Way, Scunthorpe, is on trial, charged with causing death by dangerous driving, after the incident on the B1398 on May 13, 2008.
Mark Eagle, 41, sustained various injuries, including multiple fractured ribs, after he was thrown from his Kawasaki motorbike following the collision between Stamp's Ford Escort van and a Nissan pick-up truck, Grimsby Crown Court was told yesterday.
He died two days later, at Scunthorpe General Hospital.
A post-mortem report revealed Mr Eagle had around five pints of blood in his chest cavity when he died, with the medical cause of death given as a haemothorax.
Expert witness Dr Charles Deakin, who has attended around 120 road accidents as medical director for South Central Ambulance Service, told jurors how medical records from the hospital showed a drain was incorrectly inserted into Mr Eagle's chest on two occasions at Scunthorpe General Hospital.
This resulted in the drain, which is supposed to allow blood to move away from the chest, instead puncturing his lung, he said.
But, when questioned by prosecutor Edward Bindloss, Dr Deakin said the high volume of blood on Mr Eagle's chest was more likely to have been caused by the rib fractures.
Dr Deakin said: "Along the bottom edge of each rib are two small blood vessels, a vein and an artery.
"There were a lot of rib fractures and quite a lot were displaced fractures."
Dr Deakin said this would cause bleeding from the two blood vessels.
"It is likely that the haemothorax has come from these multiple rib fractures," he said.
Mr Bindloss asked what the likelihood of the rib fractures playing no part in the internal bleeding was.
Dr Deakin replied: "It is fair to say that with the extensive number of rib fractures, it is really difficult to envisage this not contributing significantly to the blood on the chest."
Dr Deakin said he was critical of the standard of care received by Mr Eagle, in that he believed hospital staff did not appreciate how severe the injuries were.
Cross examining, defence barrister Andrew Campbell said: "To put it bluntly, he shouldn't have died," and asked Dr Deakin if he agreed with that statement.
Dr Deakin said: "The injuries that he sustained were quite significant and severe and there is always a chance they will be life-threatening and will result in someone's death."
Dr Deakin agreed with Mr Campbell's comment that Mr Eagle did not receive ideal care while in hospital but did not agree that the care was 'negligent'.
Earlier, the jury heard a statement from Richard Beaumont, of Humberside Police's vehicle investigation unit.
Mr Beaumont said after examining the motorcycle, he found hydraulic fluid from the bike's front suspension had leaked, while friction pads on the rear brake had worn away and a silencer in the exhaust had been modified.
Mr Beaumont said he was satisfied that these defects did not cause the accident but they did leave the vehicle unroadworthy.
The trial previously heard details of the collision itself from witnesses, including the driver of the Nissan truck, John Fieldson.
Mr Fieldson said he remembered the motorbike flashing past him and the next thing he heard was 'a big bang'.
The trial continues.
