A MOTORCYCLIST covered less than 200 metres on his final, fatal journey before crashing into a churchyard wall.

An inquest heard that mechanic Stephen Harrison, 26, of George Street, Clitheroe, lost control of his powerful machine as he overtook friends on their way to the pub. A police expert confirmed that if Stephen had not then swerved to avoid a pedestrian, he may have been able to regain control of his bike and avoid the collision that claimed his life.

Stephen died instantly from massive head injuries after the crash, in Edisford Road, in February.

The inquest heard that Stephen had been playing football in Roefield Leisure Centre with friends and colleagues from AJA Smith Transport Ltd, on the night of his death. A number of them arranged to meet in the Kings Arms for a drink after the match.

Duncan Aitken, of Meadow Close, Billington, and Graeme Seedall, of Larkhill, Old Langho, said they had left Stephen on the car park of the leisure centre warming up his Suzuki GSXR 600. As they travelled the short distance to the pub by car, Stephen overtook them doing between 50 and 60mph, according to Mr Aitken.

Both men recalled how the back end of the bike had started to wobble as it crossed the white lines in the centre of the road.

"The bike mounted the nearside kerb," said Mr Aitken. "There was a pedestrian on the pavement and Stephen seemed to swerve to avoid her."

A split second later, the bike careered off the road again and into the wall of St Paul's Church.

The pedestrian, Mrs Ann Rees, of Park Avenue, Clitheroe, said she froze in shock when the bike crashed and that the moment would be with her forever.

Specialist accident investigator PC Christopher Driver, said the major factor in the rider losing control had been excessive speed.

"Had the pedestrian not been present, stability would have been regained after a short distance on the footpath," said PC Driver. "However, had the bike not been travelling at such high speed, the loss of control would not have occurred in the first place."

Stephen's wife, Andrea, told the inquest that her husband had owned motorbikes since he was able and was an experienced rider and very safety-conscious. "He would not have put anybody's life in danger and he would have been so upset that he has caused so much trouble to other people," said Mrs Harrison. "He was such a lovely person."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Michael Singleton, said the coroner's office and the police were very concerned about the number of deaths involving motorcycles.

"The heartache and grief caused by this short journey from Roefield to the public house is incalculable," said Mr Singleton."

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