A MOTORCYCLIST who crashed his bike into a tree had been drinking before he died, it emerged at an inquest.

A MOTORCYCLIST who crashed his bike into a tree had been drinking before he died, it emerged at an inquest.

Peter Chapman, 48, who died in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge as a result of the accident in April, was found to have 100milligrammes of alcohol in 100ml of his blood. The legal limit is 80milligrammes.

At an inquest into Mr Chapman's death, it also emerged that his Suzuki 400cc motorbike had been faulty, which contributed to the crash near East Lodge in Hollesley.

Greater Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean said: “He was felt by witnesses to be travelling too fast and to lose control of the vehicle.

“The motorbike appeared out of control and to be weaving and narrowly missed a street sign.

“It mounted the side of the road and there was a collision with the tree causing Mr Chapman to be ejected from the vehicle and hit another tree.

“The motorcycle was in a dangerous condition and it was determined it would have been dangerous to drive.”

Dr Dean said Mr Chapman, who lived in the Bromeswell travellers' site, was also wearing an 18-year-old helmet which was in poor condition at the time of the accident and had cannabis in his system.

He reordered a verdict of accidental death.

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