Blood clot in leg kills biker

Dec 13 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

A BIKER died from a blood clot almost two weeks after crashing his Harley Davidson machine in Wirral.

An inquest heard that Gary Wharton, 45, lost control of his motorcycle on Laird Street, near St James Church, shortly after leaving a nearby pub.

Witness John Clarke told the coroner’s Mr Wharton leaving, appeared “tipsy” as he walked out.

Mr Wharton was injured in the crash, on December 8, 2005, and was taken to hospital where A&E sister Naomi Holder told the coroner he was abusive to staff.

He was allowed to discharge himself and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, but a police doctor later recommended he be returned to hospital.

Mr Wharton, of Clover Drive in Birkenhead, had suffered damaged vertebrae and an injured knee and was treated on his return to A&E, but returned to the hospital almost two weeks later with severe throbbing in his leg.

He was found to have a deep vein thrombosis – or blood clot – and was referred to the Walk-In centre the next day for further treat- ment. But, after being examined the following day, he collapsed shortly after leaving and later died in A&E at Arrowe Park.

Wirral coroner Christopher Johnson recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.