A "lovely" dad died after being found seriously injured in the road outside his home.
Barry Joseph Murphy suffered "catastrophic injuries" on Marcham Way, Norris Green, on Thursday, May 27 last year. An inquest into the 46-year-old's death was held at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool today, May 4, almost a year on from the tragedy.
Senior coroner André Rebello told the court that on the day he died Mr Murphy was at his home on Marcham Way. Mr Rebello said: "He'd been in his front garden, he'd had a drink."
READ MORE: Family 'broken' by dad's 'foolish' actions as daughter killed in crash
From the alcohol level found in Mr Murphy's blood from a toxicology report, Mr Rebello said "we know he wasn't particularly drunk." Whilst Mr Murphy was in the garden that day, Mr Rebello said a man rode passed on a moped.
He said: "The male turned around and had gone back to speak to Barry and for whatever reason, Barry asked to have a go on the moped." Mr Murphy's partner Nicola, who was present in court, confirmed to Mr Rebello he didn't have any experience of driving a moped.
Mr Rebello continued: "He got onto the bike and he was on the bike by himself, he lost control and collided with a front garden wall and he parted company with the moped." Nicola said she saw her partner get onto the moped through the window but she didn't see him crash into the wall, and by the time she got to the front door he was already on the floor.
Mr Rebello said: "All your worlds have just changed in that split second." Mr Murphy was taken to Aintree Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The court heard the 46-year-old, who was a joiner by trade, was not wearing a helmet when he got onto the moped.
Merseyside Police were called to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Murphy's death and how he came to be injured in the street. Senior Investigating Officer Amy Murray said all evidence pointed to him being the "sole occupant of the vehicle at the time".
Mr Rebello said from a "public protection point of view" Mr Murphy "hadn't gone very far" on the moped and had suffered "catastrophic injuries including head injuries." He added the collision shows the importance of wearing a helmet.
Mr Rebello said: "I did consider recording this as a road traffic collision because he collided with the pavement or road surface or garden wall, but for all intents and purposes this was a horrendous accident and I'm going to find an accidental death and multiple injuries."
Mr Rebello said Mr Murphy made a "big mistake" that day but added "we all make mistakes everyday, everyone; it is fortunate most are not fatal." He encouraged the family to continue to celebrate his life and the memories they shared with him.
Tributes flooded in for Mr Murphy on social media following his death as friends set up a fundraising page to support his family. One friend wrote: "R.I.P Barry such a lovely man with a heart of gold you will be deeply missed."
Mr Murphy's son, John Unsworth, wrote on Facebook at the time: "I’m going to miss him for the rest of my life. I love you dad. Really wish I could have just given you another big man hug."
John also posted on the ECHO website saying: "My dad had no trouble with anyone around the area as he was the type of person to want to be friends with everyone that he met."
