Inquest hears how motorcyclist is killed after the car he was following braked to avoid speed camera
A MANSFIELD biker died after he ran into the back of a car as it slowed down for a speed camera, an inquest was told.
John Andrews (21), of Eddery View, was thrown from his Honda motorbike after colliding with the rear of a Subaru as he travelled along Quaker Way in Mansfield town centre on 9th September 2007.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Andrews died from multiple injuries when he struck a lamppost after coming off his bike.
Crash investigator Paul Mclaughlin told the inquest both vehicles had been travelling close together and in excess of the speed limit at the time of the crash.
"The vehicles were travelling somewhere between 40 and 55mph," he said. "The bike failed to establish a safe stopping distance and hit the car in front.
"The crash caused him to lose control of his machine and his following collision with the lamppost caused fatal injuries.
"The findings of my investigation are that the death was caused by excessive speed and travelling too close to the vehicle in front."
Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant deputy coroner for Nottinghamshire Catherine Mason said the collision highlighted the dangers of travelling too close to other vehicles.
She said: "The crash investigator is satisfied that both vehicles were driving at excessive speed. Speed does not always kill but when speeding is added to close proximity it becomes very dangerous.
"There is no intent to cause this collision and therefore I record a verdict that John died as a result of a tragic accident."
