Motorcyclist died after veering into traffic near Shrewsbury
An experienced motorcyclist died on a Shropshire road after veering into the path of incoming traffic, an inquest heard.
Adrian Bolton, from Daventry in Northamptonshire, was travelling along the B4386 between Shrewsbury and Welshpool on June 24 when he was involved in a fatal accident.
Senior coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, John Ellery, heard the 53-year-old was riding a BMW combination motorcycle with a side car, near Yockleton, which hit a Fiat Panda.
Mr Bolton’s wife, Alison, said her husband owned motorcycles all his life and planned to take his daughter to her wedding in the side car.
She added: “His family always had motorbikes and cars over the years. Since I have known him he’s had many, often more than one at once.
“I have been to France and all over the UK on the back of his motorbike and I always felt safe. I considered him to be a very safe rider and he never took any risks when I was on the back.”
The inquest at Shirehall in Shrewsbury on Tuesday heard from Pc Nicholas Stafford from West Mercia Police who carried out an investigation following the accident.
He said there was a small gauge in the road of around 10 to 15mm wide but concluded that would not have been enough to send Mr Bolton into the oncoming traffic.
Vehicle examiner Michael Saunders also ruled out brake failure or a puncture.
Mr Ellery concluded that Mr Bolton died as a result of a road traffic collision.
He added: “Mr Bolton was riding what was a new bike to him after purchasing it. He was travelling along the B4386 where he crossed straight into the path of an oncoming Fiat Panda.
“I cannot explain why Mr Bolton crossed from his side of the road into the path of the oncoming motorist. It may come to light later but who knows.” He also said the driver of the Fiat Panda could not have done anything to avoid the collision.
