Mother, 45, died in quad bike accident at birthday party

A BIRTHDAY celebration ended in tragedy when a woman suffered head injuries in a quad biking accident and died a week later in hospital.

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

The inquest heard a seventh birthday party for her youngest daughter

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had been taking place at the property, which she shared with her partner Andrew James Smith.

Mr Smith said Mrs Burdon 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.

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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".

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 a helmet would have prevented the injury.

Coroner Geoffrey Saul recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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