Talented young motorcyclist died in pile-up near Bridgnorth

Matthew Geoffrey Foster, 23, was killed when the Honda motorcycle he was riding hit two cars on the A454 Bridgnorth Road at Swancote.

His family said they "lost someone very, very special" following his inquest.

Mr Foster, of Sycamore Green, Dudley, had been out riding with friend Luke Taylor when the accident happened.

The hearing at Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre yesterday heard that the pair had travelled from their homes in the West Midlands on their motorbikes on February 24, before stopping at a cafe in Quatt.

Speaking at the hearing, Mr Taylor said he was working nights at the time of the incident and the pair headed for home at about 8.30pm and it was dark due to the time of year. He said he believed they had been driving at about 30mph.

Mr Taylor was riding his Suzuki motorcycle ahead of Mr Foster as they approached a left hand bend at Swancote.

He said that Mr Foster then passed him on the opposite side of the road and struggled to cross back into the left hand lane.

He saw him hit the Toyota car, before going on to hit the Jaguar.

Mr Taylor said: "I jumped off my bike. I was frightened, scared. I panicked and jumped off."

He described Mr Foster as a "talented" rider and said he was going too fast for the particular bend.

He said: "I just don't think he realised how close we were to that bend."

Evidence was heard from nine motorists, one who had been behind the two motorcyclists and others who had been the queue of traffic on the opposite side of the road, including the drivers of the Toyota and Jaguar cars that were hit by Mr Foster.

A statement read out by Constable Sian Price, a road traffic collision investigator, said they believed the accident may have been caused by excessive speed.

Shropshire coroner John Ellery ruled Mr Fosters death was caused by a road traffic collision.

Mr Foster had been working as a trainee testing engineer by Exova.

In a statement released after the inquest, his parents Michael and Denise said: "Matthew was a typical lad who liked to have fun and enjoyed a joke or two.

"He very much enjoyed track days and going out on organised biking trips.

"Matthew worked hard but also liked to play hard and loved adventure, meeting new friends and getting out and about.

"He also had a soft side where he would often be there to help others in need or who were less fortunate than himself."

They added: "We all loved him dearly and feel like we lost someone very, very special that evening."