Motorcyclist killed after losing control on his way home
A motorcyclist was killed after losing control of his bike and crashing into oncoming traffic, an inquest heard.
Robert 'Claude' Christopher, aged 39, died on December 28 last year after 'dropping' his bike to avoid a vehicle turning left into a shop.
Three vehicles were involved in the crash on Oldbury Road, Rowley Regis, when Mr Christopher came off his bike and crashed into a Land Rover.
His wife Julianne said at the inquest: "Claude was always helping people. He was a family man." PC Paul du Cors from the West Midlands Police collision investigation unit confirmed that Mr Christopher, of Regis Heath Road, Rowley Regis, had been travelling above the 30mph limit with his friend Hal Kirk, on his way home, to try to find a lost wallet. It was estimated Mr Christopher was travelling at 50mph.
Mr Kirk noticed the vehicle turning left and applied his brakes twice to signal to Mr Christopher that a 'dangerous element lied ahead'. Mr Christopher had been moving to overtake a red Nissan Juke, driven by Brian Dale, who was signalling to turn into a convenience store.
CCTV from the shop showed Mre Dale took evasive action to avoid Mr Christopher who had 'lost control of his bike and headed into oncoming traffic'. Mr Christopher was pronounced dead at the scene. A pathologist report revealed he died of head injuries. Coroner Mr Zafar Siddique recorded a verdict of death by way of a road traffic collision. He said: "I can only conclude his death was sadly a result of driver error."
