Birthday horror as woman dies in quad bike crash

Debra Burdon, 45, came off the bike in a field at her home on North Back Lane, Kilham, on the evening of May 22 this year.

The court was told that a seventh birthday party for her youngest daughter had been taking place at the property, which she shared with her partner Andrew James Smith.

Mr Smith said Mrs Burdon was "over the moon", having been awarded full custody of her two children at a court hearing the previous day.

He added that she had been drinking over several hours prior to the accident.

During the evening, a number of party guests had been taking turns to ride a Suzuki 400cc quad bike and Mrs Burdon decided to have a go.

Friend Deborah Lesley Youngson said she had been concerned about her friend using the machine, because of the drink she had consumed during the day.

Mrs Burdon, who wasn't wearing a helmet, initially rode steadily, before gaining confidence and speed.

She managed to stop the vehicle at the bottom of the field, before turning and riding off again, coming off the machine around two thirds of the way up the field.

Mrs Youngson said she had heard her friend scream over the sound of the engine as she neared the garden area, but that it had been a scream "of joy, not fear".

She added there was "no obvious reason" why the accident happened.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Burdon died as a result of swelling of the brain caused by her injuries.

Consultant neuro-pathologist Dr Ian Scott said it was impossible to say whether wearing a helmet would have prevented the fatal injury.

In a statement, her mother, Ann Clarke, said: "Debra was the most wonderful mother who always put her children first in everything she did.

"My only consolation is that prior to the accident, she was over the moon with happiness."

Coroner Geoffrey Saul recorded a verdict of accidental death.