A fatal crash involving a motorcyclist and a pedestrian near Nelson in 2016 was unavoidable, the Coroner has ruled.
Alethea Maureen Scott, who was 78, was crossing State Highway 6 in April 2016 with her husband, Bernard Scott, when she was hit by a motorcycle, driven by Joshua De La Cour. The accident happened on the highway near the intersection with Bay View Road, just north of Nelson City.
She died of her injuries in Christchurch Hospital later that month.
In a report released today, Coroner David Robinson said there was nothing Mr De La Cour could have done to avoid hitting Mrs Scott, and the couple were unwise to cross the road where they did.
Mr Robinson also said the police should consider sending the Serious Crash Unit to such incidents, as eyewitnesses gave different accounts of what happened.
Currently, the serious crash unit has to attend only immediately fatal crashes.
