Mountain bike tourist died after fall at Maydena park track despite rescue attempts, coroner finds
An off-duty paramedic tried to save the life of a mountain bike rider by deflating his collapsed lung with a wheel spoke at the popular Maydena Bike Park. The coroner’s findings>
Tasmania
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An off-duty paramedic tried to save the life of a mountain bike rider by deflating his collapsed lung with a wheel spoke at the popular Maydena Bike Park.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart has released her findings into the March 2022 death of tourist and competent rider James Edward MacPherson, 29, praising those who tried to help him.
The Melbourne resident, who was about to open his first cafe, travelled to Hobart on March 10 with two of his friends and their sons for a mountain biking holiday at Maydena.
The group rode along an intermediate track called “Dial it Down” at a speed about 40km/h.
Ms McTaggart said Mr MacPherson likely fell off his bike when he tried to negotiate a 90 degree turn, causing him to be thrown over the handlebars.
Mr MacPherson, having difficulty breathing and in obvious pain, told one of his companions that he needed a paramedic.
A part-time park safety coordinator and part-time paramedic, Rebecca Parrott-Foxen arrived after calling Ambulance Tasmania and requesting a helicopter.
Mr Parrott-Foxen, who was soon assisted by an off-duty nurse who was mountain biking that day, observed Mr MacPherson was developing a collapsed lung.
Mr MacPherson’s condition began to deteriorate, spitting up blood in increasing amounts, and beginning to lose consciousness.
An attempt to help him breathe with airway devices failed, and Mr MacPherson went into cardiac arrest.
Under guidance from a doctor by telephone, Ms Parrott-Foxen attempted to decompress his lung with a wheel spoke from Ms Child’s bicycle – watching his chest deflate after inserting the spoke into the correct part of his body.
When help arrived, doctors and paramedics tried a number of other interventions to save him.
“Tragically, despite all attempts at resuscitation, Mr MacPherson passed away,” Ms McTaggart said.
Forensic pathologist Donald Ritchie found his cause of death was severe blunt trauma, including bleeding of the chest and lungs.
Ms McTaggart praised those who attempted to help Mr MacPherson, noting they provided care of a “high standard” despite being in a remote location with limited resources in a severe situation.
She also made no criticism of the Maydena Bike Park, saying there were no defects or issues with the track.
The only other death recorded at the park was after it opened in 2018, when experienced rider, Colin Jamie Oliver, crashed his bike and died from a head injury.
Originally published as Mountain bike tourist died after fall at Maydena park track despite rescue attempts, coroner finds
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