Report released after death of Kyle Goater in 2021 crash

Kyle Goater, a mechanical engineer from Keighley, passed away on July 20, 2021, when his MG ZS collided with two other vehicles on Moor Road, Burley in Wharfedale.

The 25-year-old, who was driving home from work, suffered serious injuries and later died at the scene.

Assistant coroner Angela Brocklehurst wrote in the report: "As the deceased was travelling in his motor vehicle approaching the brow of the hill on Moor Road controlled by a speed limit of 50mph, no sign was in place to provide a warning as to a layby situated at the bottom of a dip the road which was unforeseen by the deceased.

"At the bottom of the dip a vehicle was indicating to turn right into the layby, which the deceased travelling in the same traffic lane was not able to avoid, an inevitable collision occurred and as a result of such collision the deceased lost his life.

Kyle Goater. On the right aged three-and-a-half (Image: Right Picture: Family)A Prevention of Future Deaths report, published last week, called for action to be taken to make Moor Road safer.

"Had the layby been situated elsewhere or signposted well in advance of the crest of the hill it is likely that sufficient warning to an oncoming vehicle would have been provided in time to enable awareness of an oncoming vehicle and a reduction in speed from 50 mph."

However, Bradford Council, which has responsibility for the road, said the area in question is not a layby. 

A spokesperson said it is a section of moorland that the broken-down vehicle pulled over into to await recovery.

Bradford Council also outlined action taken since the tragic incident - the speed limit on the road has been lowered from 50mph to 30mph.

The scene of the crash

Other measures include signs indicating bends and the narrowing of the road, as well as slow markings being painted.

The Council also said it will "review the area again to see if further safety improvements can be made”.

In response to the Prevention of Future Death Report, a full statement from Bradford Council said: “This is a very sad and unfortunate incident.

"The area in question is not a layby and does not form part of the operational highway boundary.

"It is a section of moorland that the broken down vehicle had pulled off the road into, to await recovery.

"The speed limit on this road has been reduced from 50mph, at the time of the accident, to 30mph, a sign has also been erected to indicate bends and a narrowing of the road as well as slow markings being painted in the road. 

“We will review the area again to see if further safety improvements can be made.”

Kyle's father Andrew Goater said: "Any change they make on that road should be a good thing."

Over two years on from the crash, the Goater family is determined to keep Kyle's memory going.

"We talk about Kyle every day," Andrew added.

"I have been sat with a customer today and spoken about him.

"It constantly comes up in conversation. We have plaques and pictures up all over the place."

Emotional tributes were paid following Kyle's death, with floral tributes also left at the scene of the crash. 

At the time, Andrew said: "As parents of Kyle we are totally overwhelmed with the response from all the people who knew him.

"He had developed into a very talented young man with a prosperous career ahead of him from a cheeky boy at school.

"Having just become independent buying his own house gave him the space and time to do his own thing, which was developing his home and cars.

"We are heartbroken. Love you Kyle and will never be forgotten."

After his death, Kyle's friends banded together to raise enough money to allow his family to complete a car renovation he had been working on.

The car fanatic had been working on a major side project where he was attempting to convert an old Rover 45 into the “Evo Killer”.

Gutted that his pal could not finish the transformation himself, Sam Treece was determined to raise enough money to make this happen.

Sam banded together some of his and Kyle’s closest mates and roped them into the daring National Three Peaks Challenge to raise money.