A government scientist who worked for No 10 during Covid died after crashing into a concrete wall during a cycling holiday in Italy, an inquest into her death heard.
Susannah Boddie, 27, from Nettlebed, near Henley in Oxfordshire, was a leading health data scientist at No 10 Downing Street.
During the Covid pandemic, she advised the British government in its management of the health crisis. She was described by the coroner as an “inspiring woman” and “an incredible scientist” who was “loved and admired by all”.
The avid cyclist died from “severe head trauma” while cycling with her boyfriend Robert Johnson in the mountains above Toscolano Maderno, near Lake Garda, on August 12, 2023.
At the time of her death, reports indicated that she was wearing a safety helmet when she fell. However, this was not mentioned during the investigation.
In a written statement to the coroner, Miss Boddie’s boyfriend Mr Johnson said: “We were cycling on the last day. Everything was normal and we cycled for about 30 minutes and it was mostly downhill.
Susannah Boddie, 17, from Nettlebed, near Henley in Oxfordshire, died after crashing into a concrete wall during a cycling holiday in Italy on August 12, 2023.
Susannah Boddie, 27, was a leading health data scientist at 10 Downing Street and offered crucial advice to the government in its handling of the pandemic.
“We were following a GPS route which took us down a smaller, steeper road, but nothing made me uncomfortable and nothing Susannah had done before.
“I was slightly ahead and suddenly she walked past me and seemed out of control. She turned in front of me, out of sight.
He said when he caught up with Susannah he could see she had crashed into a wall and appeared to be breathing but was bleeding from her mouth.
Pictured: The scene of the incident in Navazzo di Gargnano, near Lake Garda
Police pictured at scene after Miss Boddie’s fatal crash
Miss Boddie was cycling on the Via Mezzane in Brescia, near Lake Garda (photo, archive image)
A passing couple stopped to help and emergency services arrived 30 minutes later due to the rural location, the inquest heard.
After 45 minutes of treatment, she was pronounced dead.
At the time of the accident, Miss Boddie’s family said: “She was the most wonderful daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend anyone could wish for and her memory will continue to inspire us in everything what we do.”
Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter ruled the death was an accident.
At the time of the accident, Miss Boddie’s family said: “She was the most wonderful daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend anyone could wish for and her memory will continue to inspire us in everything what we do. »
Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter ruled the death was an accident.
The coroner said: “Susannah was an inspiring woman, an incredible scientist and she was loved and admired by all. She had accomplished so much in her short life.
She had brought her own bike to Italy. An examination of the bike after the crash suggested the front wheel inner tube may have exploded, rendering the brakes useless.
We heard the bike was fine the day before when the couple took downhill routes.
Mr Salter said it was difficult to know what circumstances caused Susannah to lose control.
Mr Salter said: “Susannah was an inspiring woman, an incredible scientist and she was loved and admired by all. She had accomplished so much in her short life.
However, he added: “I’m not entirely sure if we’ll get to the bottom of what went wrong.”