Ipswich Gavin Douglas inquest concludes for Witnesham crash

Gavin Douglas died on May 27 last year at the age of 47 as a result of injuries he suffered in an accident in Witnesham.

On Thursday, assistant coroner for Suffolk Peter Taheri resumed the inquest into Mr Douglas’ death.

Those gathered at Suffolk Coroners’ Court in Ipswich heard that Mr Douglas, an HGV driver, loved to drive.

“Ever since he could walk or run, Gavin wanted to be on the back of a motorbike,” Mr Taheri read from a tribute written by Mr Douglas’ family.

• READ MORE: Family pays tribute to Gavin Douglas

Gavin Douglas' family said that they would carry his memory with them forever. Image: Suffolk Police (Image: Suffolk police)

Mr Douglas had been living with his mother, with whom he shared a close relationship, and he was an enormous source of help and support to her.

“We miss him terribly, and will forever carry him in our hearts,” Mr Taheri read.

At about 1.15pm on May 27, Mr Douglas was riding his motorbike along the B1077.

He had bought the bike earlier that month and had mentioned to family members that it had been “pulling” and he had felt it wobble.

Mr Douglas had contacted the dealership and had an appointment to bring the bike in on May 23, although he later called to delay this until June 7.

Three women in a Range Rover were travelling ahead of Mr Douglas on the day in question. The driver, Briony Ling, gave evidence stating that she checked her rear view mirror and noticed dust in the air, alerting her to a problem.

She turned the car around and went to investigate, and discovered Mr Douglas, who had come off his bike. He was in considerable pain, but conscious and able to tell her his name.

The women stayed with Mr Douglas until the emergency services arrived, assisting them in carrying out CPR. However, Mr Douglas later died from his injuries in hospital.

Expert evidence was given to the court by PC Mark Head, a forensic collision investigator.

From his analysis of the scene and CCTV, he said it was likely that Mr Douglas had pulled out of a sharp righthand bend in the road and entered the offside verge. He travelled approximately 38 metres along the verge, until he collided with a tree.

In giving his conclusion, Mr Taheri said that there are some questions an inquest is not able to answer.

He said that how Mr Douglas came to enter the offside verge could not be ascertained, but he had clearly been unable to react in time to avoid colliding with the tree.

He concluded that Mr Douglas died as the result of a road traffic collision, and ended by offering his own sincere condolences to Mr Douglas’ family.