Bermuda experienced its 13th road fatality after an American tourist lost control of her bike on Tuesday and died from injuries she sustained.

Thirty-three-year-old Bethany Heinrichs, of Baltimore, Maryland, was pronounced dead at the King Edward Memorial Hospital at 8.45 p.m. on Tuesday.

Ms Heinrichs lost control of her bike on Pender Road, in Sandys, at 1.50 p.m. on Tuesday and collided with the curb.

She was rushed to the hospital with serious chest & abdominal injuries, but passed away later that evening.

Inquiries into this incident are ongoing. Police are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to contact PC Lesa Stovell at the Somerset Police Station on 234-1010.

A spokesman added: "The Bermuda Police Service extends sincere condolences to the family & friends of the deceased."

Readers on The Royal Gazette's Facebook page expressed concern about the level of instruction given to tourists before they are allowed to rent a motor cycle.

Karen Hopwood wrote: "What a terrible tragedy. Is it time the Government had a rethink about bikes and tourists? So many get hurt or killed on Bermuda's roads. It would be far safer to rent them some little cars e.g. Smart cars or similar and as they are not much bigger than a bike it would not make much difference to congestion on the roads."

Jason Cheyne said the current method of making tourists ride around a parking lot before renting the cycles was not enough.

He added: [You do the test] with no idiots trying to overtake you and all the added pressure locals put on them most of all the accidents are people trying to go nowhere fast."