AN accident investigator told a court the collision between a rider and a spectator at a mountain bike event in Llangollen was “unavoidable” once the bike had gone out of control.

Judith Garrett died after being hit by the bike ridden by Andy Cody at the event at Tan Y Graig Farm on August 31, 2014.

The safety measures put in place by race organiser Michael Marsden have been questioned by prosecutor James Hill QC at Mold Crown Court where Marsden faces health and safety charges along with marshal Kevin Duckworth and governing body the British Cycling Federation.

Gary Mason, a collision investigation expert based in Liverpool, said there would have been no chance for Mr Cody to alter the course of his bike or for Ms Garrett to get out of its way.

The impact happened seconds after the bike’s front wheel “washed out” on landing following a downhill jump on the One Giant Leap cycle track.

Mr Mason told the court the rider would have had no control over the bike which one competitor estimated was travelling at about 25mph to 30mph.

Gary Mason said there would only have been a two to three seconds delay between the bike landing and striking Ms Garrett and even if she had been positioned six metres further back she would have had only another 0.5 seconds to react.

“I would be surprised if anyone could react sufficiently to something like that unfolding in front of them,” said Mr Mason.

“Once he lost control of the cycle the rider could have done nothing. The cycle would have carried on in a straight line and breaking or steering would not have helped.

“In my opinion there was nothing the cyclist could have done to avoid the collision, similarly there is nothing Miss Garrett could have done to avoid the vehicle.”

And he added: “The position of Ms Garrett was undoubtedly dangerous.”

Ms Garrett had walked up to the track to watch her boyfriend Peter Walton compete and had taken up position in an area near the finishing stretch, which the prosecution has said should have been taped off to prevent spectators entering.

She suffered massive head injuries in the head-on collision and died at a specialist trauma unit in Stoke the next day.

Marsden’s defence barrister Oliver Campbell QC questioned whether the reaction time would not have been less had the bike speed been slower.

The accident investigator agreed with him and admitted he had no idea that the bike had been travelling at 25mph to 30mph.

Marsden, 41, of Gressingham Drive, Lancaster, is alleged to have failed to ensure the safety of spectators at the event, including Ms Garrett.

He is also charged with failing to make a suitable assessment of the health and safety risks posed to spectators.

Duckworth, 42, of Addison Street, Accrington, Lancashire, is alleged to have failed to ensure that his health and safety duties as a marshal were complied with in that he left his position as a marshal.

The British Cycling Federation faces a charge of failing to conduct an undertaking in such a way as to ensure the health and safety of people attending.

Marsden, Duckworth and the British Cycling Federation deny all the charges.

The case continues.