Ludlow motorcyclist - Christopher Jones - ‘came off bike while overtaking’ (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Ludlow motorcyclist - Christopher Jones - ‘came off bike while overtaking’

10:51am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

A MOTORCYCLIST died after coming off his bike on the A49 while overtaking, an inquest was told this week.

Christopher Jones, of Ludlow, was known to his friends as “Taff” or “Papa” and was a petty officer for 846 Naval Air Squadron.

An inquest into his death on Monday was told that the 37-year-old, who was a member of Ludlow Motorcycle Club, arranged to go on a bike ride with his friend Wayne Griffiths on February 26.

But while trying to overtake a Transit van heading north near Ashton, Mr Jones lost control of his Honda motorbike and crashed.

He was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics shortly after they arrived.

“I think he hit something in the road and from there he has gone over the line and was unable to control the bike,” said Mr Griffiths.

Alan Jones, who was driving the Transit van, said that he was surprised that Mr Jones and Mr Griffiths did not attempt to overtake him by Berrington Hall.

“Quite often you get motorcyclists overtake you there as you can still see,” he said.

PC Alan Paton said that there were two metal inspection covers on the centre of the road, which Mr Jones may have hit prior to him crashing.

“We liaised with the Highways Agency to see what they were and they had no concerns at all,” he said.

Mr Jones’s wife Kerry told the inquest that her husband used to ride in all kinds of weathers and went on trips with his friends.

“I went on the back of him on numerous occasions – he was an accomplished motorcyclist,” she said.

The inquest was told that the weather was fine and dry and there was nothing mechanically wrong with Mr Jones’ motorbike.

Deputy coroner Roland Wooderson recorded a verdict of accidental death.