A MOTORCYCLIST who died after losing control of his bike and running into the back of a car had taken cocaine before the accident, an inquest has been told.

Annie Davidson

A MOTORCYCLIST who died after losing control of his bike and running into the back of a car had taken cocaine before the accident, an inquest has been told.

John Thompson, 49, was doing a minimum of 68mph along the B1027 in Colchester Road in St Osyth when his 1200cc Suzuki Bandit collided with a Mitsubishi Colt.

Both vehicles were travelling towards Colchester and the Mitsubishi, driven by John Bartlett, had slowed down to turn into Oaklands Holiday Park.

The inquest heard from Pc Kevin Carter, of the Essex Police traffic investigation unit, who said Mr Thompson, of Great Bentley, had “reacted, albeit late, to the Mitsubishi” and braked excessively which led to him losing control of the bike.

The first skid mark found on the road was nearly 230 feet from where Mr Thompson's body was found in a lay-by after the impact.

A post mortem examination revealed he had died of multiple injuries and he had probably taken the cocaine within a few hours leading up to his death on October 27 last year.

Pc Carter said the level of cocaine in Mr Thompson's body was such that it could have led to him “misjudging the situation that developed ahead of him.”

Mr Bartlett fought back tears as he told how he had not seen the bike in his rear view mirror and the first he knew was when he felt a thud.

“I looked in the rear view mirror prior to signalling and there was nothing at all there,” he said.

“I wasn't sure what had happened to start with and then I saw the motorcycle go by and then the motorcyclist and I realised he must have hit the back of my car.

“I pulled up to the left hand side, in front of where Mr Thompson was. He wasn't moving at all so I grabbed my phone and dialled 999.”

Michael Marvel, who was driving in the opposite direction, told how he saw the bike and Mr Thompson going through the gap between the car and the verge and landing on the road.

“I could not see any reason why the bike appeared to lose control,” he said.

“I didn't even know that it had hit the car at that point.”

He added: “It is a pity we couldn't do anything for the deceased…I did see some flowers on the side of the road afterwards.

“I did not know the gentleman or his wife but I do hope that everything turns out fine for you.”

Mr Thompson's partner, Heather, who was at the inquest supported by friends and family, replied: “Thank you.”

Assistant deputy coroner Chinyere Inyama recorded a verdict of accidental death.