IPSWICH: Fatal errors from a relatively inexperienced young motorcyclist led to his death on a country road, an inquest heard.
IPSWICH: Fatal errors from a relatively inexperienced young motorcyclist led to his death on a country road, an inquest heard.
Christopher Hutchison, of Oak Hill Lane, Ipswich, was riding his Yamaha YZF600 when he lost control on a bend on the B1069 at Grundisburgh on July 6.
The 21-year-old service delivery assistant for First Group Buses died from head injuries after he and his bike hit a wooden telegraph pole.
Mr Hutchison had been estimated as travelling at around 40mph to 45mph at the time of the tragedy. He had removed the speed restriction mechanism on the Yamaha the day before the crash.
Relatives at his inquest at Endeavour House in Ipswich heard the accident took place around 2.20pm as he was riding with his friend John Stokes, who was on another motorcycle.
Greater Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean made clear that although the pair were travelling at a fair speed, they were not racing.
The were heading towards Woodbridge and had just passed Grange Farm shop when Mr Hutchison failed to negotiate a right hand bend and went off the road as he lost control.
In a statement Mr Stokes told police the pair took it in turns to lead each other when they were out on rides. After Mr Hutchison had gone past on this occasion, his brake light illuminated and his rear wheel locked up.
The Yamaha then left the road and went into the telephone pole, before coming to rest in a ditch. Mr Hutchison died from head injuries.
The inquest heard Mr Hutchison, who passed his test in October 2007, should have been riding a restricted machine until September 11.
However, a police report said the Yamaha's restriction kit had been removed the day before the crash, leaving the bike able to do a higher speed than it should have at the time.
The road conditions were good and there was nothing untoward in subsequent toxicology reports, leading Dr Dean to conclude that the fatal collision occurred due to errors by Mr Hutchison.
A finding of accidental death was recorded.
Pay tribute to Mr Hutchinson - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here