Rhys Smailes died on the A690 at Hemlington Row, Crook in County Durham in the early hours of August 13 last year.
The 21-year-old had been riding with his friend Matthew Walton late on August 12 when one of his pal’s bikes broke and he called his step-dad to come and help them, an inquest heard today (Friday, January 17).
The bike was unfixable and they took it back to Crook, but Rhys, then took the other motorbike to go to Coxhoe and show his mum his riding.
But Crook Coroners’ Court was told that as he headed towards Willington on the A690, with his step-dad following in his Volvo, the “inexperienced” rider lost control after a taking a bend, crashing off the side of the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.
In a statement his step-father Daniel Welsh said: “I drove down the road in Crook passing the petrol station where the road bens to the right and it’s a this point I lost sight of Rhys.
“I came around the bend and about 200 meters away I saw dust and smoke on the road.
“I saw the bike that Rhys was riding so stopped the car and got out. I looked and saw Rhys lying in the grass verge on the side of the road next to a speed limit road sign.
“I ran over to check he was alright. I rang 999 they asked whether he was breathing and I checked and he wasn’t. I started CPR and after a couple of minutes another car pulled up with three women who got out and asked if I needed any help.”
He continued with CPR until paramedics arrived and the women called Rhys’ mum who got a lift to the scene.
About 40 minutes later Rhys, of Middlesbrough and Crook, was declared dead with his mum at his side.
Crash investigator Carl Lee told the court he had been “unable to identify any reason why Rhys’s motorbike left the carriageway”.
He added that no issues were found with the bike or road, and CCTV showed Rhys riding wearing a helmet at what appeared to be the speed limit, and despite a toxicologist finding cannabis in his system he was not swerving or driving erratically.
The inquest took place at Crook Coroners’ Court.
Rhys had taken the bike without his friend’s permission and was not insured to ride it.
The court heard the drug, which Rhys used regularly, couldn’t be blamed for the crash and friend Matthew Walton said he had not seen him use the drug that day.
“It is possible that he was looking behind him, but there was no evidence to suggest that”, Mr Lee added.
A pathologist concluded he died of multiple traumatic injuries.
“To say I am heartbroken would be an understatement”, Rhys’ mum Becky said in a statement.
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“I’m finding it difficult to accept what has happened and that Rhys is no longer here. This is something I will never really come to terms with.”
Concluding his death was an accident Assistant Coroner Simon Connolly said: “Rhys Dylan Edward Smailes died on August 13 on the A690 Hemlington Row, Crook, County Durham having, as an inexperienced motorcyclist, lost control of the motorbike he was riding while rounding a corner and resulting in fatal injuries.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my very, very sincere condolences to the family for Rhys’ loss. I am very sorry.”