A BRIT scientist died after smashing into a concrete wall while on a cycling holiday in Italy, an inquest heard.
Susannah Boddie, 27, suffered a severe head injury as she lost control on a steep mountain trail near Lake Garda last August.
Susannah Boddie died while on a cycling trip with her boyfriendCredit: Facebook
The 27-year-old was a lead scientist for the government during CovidCredit: Facebook
The avid cyclist, who was a lead health scientist at No 10 during the Covid pandemic, was on holiday with her boyfriend at the time, Oxford Mail reports.
He told an inquest into her death that they were on the last day of the trip when they came across a steep decline in the mountains above Toscolano Maderno.
Robert Johnson said: “Everything was normal and we were cycling for about 30 minutes and it was mostly downhill.
“We were following a GP route that took us down a smaller, steeper road but nothing I wasn’t comfortable doing and nothing Susannah hadn’t done before.
“I was slightly ahead and suddenly she came flying past me and seemed out of control. She went round a bend ahead of me, out of sight.”
Robert said he caught up with Susannah, who “appeared to be breathing” but was bleeding from her mouth.
A couple stopped to help the pair but it took 30 minutes for paramedics to arrive due to the rural location.
Tragically, Susannah was declared dead at the scene shortly after.
The inquest in Oxford was told Susannah’s bike, which she had taken to Italy herself, was examined after the crash.
It was considered a possibility the inner tube of the front wheel had exploded, which would have made the brakes useless.
Susannah had been fine on downhill routes the day before the horror, the inquest was told.
Senior coroner Darren Salter ruled her death as accidental, saying no one may ever know what caused the scientist to lose control.
Paying tribute, he added: “She was an inspiring woman, an incredible scientist and was loved and admired by all.
“She had achieved so much in her short life.”
She was the most wonderful daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend you could ever wish for and her memory will continue to inspire us in all we do.
Susannah’s family
Susannah had offered crucial advice to the government during its handling of the Covid pandemic.
Downing Stree paid tribute to the “incredible scientist” following her death.
While her hearbroken family said Susannah “lived life to the full and had achieved so much”.
They added: “She crammed in more into her life than you would have thought possible”.
They went on to say that she was the “loveliest, kindest person who always inspired and cared for others”.
“She was the most wonderful daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend you could ever wish for and her memory will continue to inspire us in all we do.”
Susannah had lost control while cycling downhillCredit: Facebook
Tragically she suffered severe head injuriesCredit: Facebook