Burst tyre caused Bolivian tragedy

A BURST tyre caused a tragic accident which killed a former Sevenoaks School student on his gap year.

Tom Austin, 22, died when a Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 carrying 13 people tried to overtake his cycling tour group in Bolivia in April last year.

The vehicle hit him before plummeting off the road and rolling 300ft down a rocky embankment, killing eight passengers inside and injuring the other five.

An inquest in Tunbridge Wells on November 9, heard a witness statement from James Marshall, a schoolfriend of Tom's, who was on the same cycle tour.

The statement, read by West Kent coroner Roger Hatch, explained the friends had been on a skiing session for three months before heading down to South America.

Mr Marshall's statement said: "Tom and I decided to do the cycling trip because we heard stunning reviews from other travellers. The company we chose had the best equipment.

"We had a safety brief which involved keeping a safe distance from the bike ahead, keeping close to the edge of the road and ignoring noise from cars."

When the riders set off in a long line, some 30 in all, Tom Austin rode between Mr Marshall, in front, and another friend, Daniel Roberts, behind him.

The mountain pass is known as the Road of Death because of its hairpin bends, narrow ledges and steep gradient, some 11,800ft of road surface in just 40 miles.

Speaking of the moment when the Toyota lost control, Mr Marshall said: "I heard a loud bang behind me and some tyres screeching.

"As we had been instructed, I kept looking ahead, continuing my speed."

But Mr Marshall was also knocked off his bike, and was taken to hospital with his friends in a minibus.

While on the way to receive treatment, Tom, who had sustained severe head injuries, stopped breathing and attempts to resuscitate him failed.

Mr Marshall said he later heard one of the tyres of the vehicle had burst, causing it to swerve into the cyclists, "hitting Dan, then Tom and then me".

He said: "The car ran over Tom and then continued over the edge of a large dip."

Mr Hatch accepted this version of events, although Tom's dad Anthony said he was disappointed no mention was made of a burst tyre in the Bolivian authority's report.

The verdict was accidental death.

The family have since erected a memorial to their son at the spot where he died.

Speaking at Tom's inquest, Mr Austin said: "This is the last episode in this sorry business. Tom's family and friends have raised something in the region of £6,000 to £7,000 for SOS Children's Villages in Bolivia.

"We went out as a family early this year and are using the money to donate sports equipment to the children's village (near La Paz)."

He added Tom was a "fine young man" and "a credit to his family and friends", and a memorial cricket day had been held at Sevenoaks School at the end of the school year.