A speeding biker ‘couldn’t react in time’ to avoid a fatal crash in Swindon, an inquest heard.
Henry John Lowe died when his Suzuki motorcycle impacted a black BMW turning on a roundabout in Marlborough Road at around 10.15pm on 2 August last year.
The 60-year-old sustained significant injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene by medics a short time later.
As reported at the time, a roads policing vehicle – a marked BMW – was part of the investigation.
The inquest, at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court last week, heard that officers passed the motorcycle going the opposite direction and formed the opinion the rider was speeding.
They turned around and attempted to catch up by travelling at 45mph in the posted 30mph zone, but the crash had already occurred.
Coroner David Ridley concluded that Mr Lowe was riding at between 46 and 49mph before hitting the BMW – which was being driven by an experienced driving instructor.
Having assessed the evidence – including from specialist forensic collision investigators – he said that the deceased had “insufficient time” to react to the turning car and avoid the impact.
