THE Trafford Centre has installed a safety barrier after a young cyclist was killed last year.


Georgia Flynn, who was 18 and from Flixton, was hit by a van as she cycled to her job at Nando’s restaurant on June 9 2012.


At an inquest at Trafford Magistrates’ Court on May 2, deputy coroner Joanne Kearsley recorded a verdict of accidental death.


Speaking at the inquest, Georgia’s mother, Clair Flynn, said her daughter was always a joy to be around and made everyone laugh.


The inquest heard that on the night before her death Georgia’s mother, Clair Flynn had become engaged and Georgia was extremely pleased and excited about it.


The next day Georgia cycled from her home on Whitegate Park to her girlfriend, Jessica Renwick’s house before cycling on to work.


The inquest heard that Georgia had only recently begun using the bike and had only cycled to work once before.


Philip Chadwick, was driving a delivery van on behalf of the Dixons Group, when he saw a girl cycling down an alleyway to his left at around 4.45pm.


Mr Chadwick said he remembered exclaiming to his driver’s mate that the girl was not stopping and slammed on his breaks, but collided with the cyclist.


The inquest heard that the van went over Georgia and she suffered critical injuries.
Ms Kearsley said Georgia was certified dead at Salford Royal Hospital at 6.28pm, but she never regained consciousness and probably died at the scene.


Miss Flynn asked pathologist Dr Daniel Du Plessis, who carried out the post-mortem, if her daughter would have survived if she had been wearing a helmet.


He said: “I think probably not. Her injuries were too extensive and quite often wearing a helmet doesn’t help – although I hesitate to say that – if the impact is substantial.”


David Wilson, health and safety manager at intu Trafford Centre, said a barrier had not been installed at the end of the alleyway as it is not a designated cycle route and subsequent analysis has shown that all other pedestrians have stopped at the end of the alleyway.


Ms Kearsley said Georgia, for whatever reason, was not aware of the presence of the road at the end of the alleyway and this could be made more obvious.


She added that she would be writing to the Trafford Centre asking them to install a barrier – an action that was taken by the Trafford Centre later that day.


Ms Kearsley also stated that she had no concerns about Mr Chadwick’s driving or the speed at which he was going.


Gordon McKinnon, intu regional centre director, said: “Whilst recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner yesterday said that consideration should be given to the installation of a barrier at the location of the accident.


“We have therefore installed one, in anticipation of the Coroner’s formal recommendations.


“Following yesterday’s inquest we are pleased to hear that we should receive the formal recommendations soon and will be able to implement them in full.”