A TEENAGER who was killed in a collision with a street sign was breaking the speed limit and riding a motorcycle that was too powerful for him, an inquest has been told.

Jack Cocksedge, 18, of Bridge Street, Stowmarket, died on July 11 last year after he lost control of his KTM 640 bike at the end of Gipping Way.

An inquest today in Bury St Edmunds was told that evidence from the scene and witness reports suggested Mr Cocksedge’s braking bike had slid along the pavement, while he was flung into the pole of a street sign.

The apprentice brick-layer and former Stowmarket High School student, who received serious injuries to his chest and broken his arm, forearm and jaw, died at the scene.

A post mortem revealed the teenager had suffered a lacerated aorta.

Pc Jeff Cribb, collision investigator for Suffolk Constabulary, said witness statements had corroborated physical evidence at the scene that the motorcycle had been travelling from Bury Road towards Needham Market in excess of the 30mph speed limit.

He added: “I would say about 40mph or 50mph. I consider that to be a reasonable estimate based on evidence at the scene.”

Pc Cribb said an inspection of the motorcycle revealed no faults that would have led to the crash.

But he said the vehicle appeared to have no “restrictions” on it, which would have limited the power of the 40kw/53 horsepower engine.

The inquest was told that Mr Cocksedge’s licence only allowed him to drive a motorbike with an engine power of 25kw or 33 horsepower.

Addressing Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean, Pc Cribb added: “He was riding a motorcycle more powerful than his licence allowed. It could get faster in a shorter time.”

The collision investigator said Mr Cocksedge’s mother, Jill had confirmed the bike belonged to her son.

Pc Cribb said the conditions at the time of the incident were bright and dry.

He added: “Having considered the available evidence from the investigation, left to conclude that error from Mr Cocksedge led to this collision.”

Dr Dean, who returned a verdict of accidental death, said: “This emphasises the hazards of excess speed when in a vulnerable position, as motorcyclists are.”

Shortly after the accident last year Mr Cocksedge’s family said he would be “sadly missed” by everyone who knew him.