Tragic Navy officer lost control of bike
A Royal Navy petty officer, who had been decorated by the Prince Wales and had just become a father, died when he lost control of his motorcycle heading north on the A49 at Ashwood Farm, near Leominster.
Herefordshire deputy coroner Roland Wooderson recorded a verdict of accidental death at Hereford Town Hall after Christopher Jones suffered multiple injuries on February 26.
Mr Jones, 37, of St Margaret Road, Ludlow, a helicopter engineer who had served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, had just received the operational service medal at Clarence House.
His wife, Kerry, had given birth to their daughter Scarlet, only weeks before the accident, the inquest heard yesterday.
Based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, he was described as an accomplished motor cyclist. Mr Jones was a keen member of Ludlow Motor Cycle Club and also rode his motorcycle to and from his base regularly.
Eyewitnesses said his Honda Fireblade suddenly wobbled and veered across the road while overtaking a van. It hit the kerb and ended in a ditch.
Emergency teams called to the scene were unable to revive Mr Jones.
Accident investigator Pc Alan Payton said conditions were good and there was 350 metres in which to overtake within the speed limit. Vehicle inspectors found no evidence of mechanical or structural failure.
Van driver Alan Jones said: "There were two motorcycles behind me and I saw the first one crossing the white line. His handle bars began shaking violently and I could see he was in difficulty."
Following motorcyclist Wayne Griffiths said: "It all happened so fast and I concentrated on stopping safely."
Mr Wooderson said: "The cause of death was multiple injuries and trauma. Nothing in his medical background had any bearing on the incident.
There was no evidence of drugs or drink being contributory factors."
