Willenhall student's fatal bike crash on Europe trip
A student died from serious head injuries when his motorbike was in collision with a lorry in France as he tried to overtake another vehicle.
Louis Harvey, of Willenhall, had smoked cannabis some 36 hours before the tragedy which happened on August 1 last year and the effects may have impeded his judgement, an inquest heard.
The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after his Yamaha Fazer collided with a lorry on the Sainte-Maure Circulation Route near Paris.
He had just finished his first year studying motorsport engineering at the University of Derby and was planning to spend a month in Switzerland in the summer break with his friend Henry Rogerson, whose father had a home there.
Mr Rogerson told the hearing held yesterday they had smoked cannabis together twice before they set off on their travels via Eurotunnel arriving in Calais two days before the fatal crash, but had not carried any with them.
He told the Smethwick hearing that he was riding ahead of the former Pool Hayes Arts and Community School pupil and saw the collision unfold in his mirror.
"I saw a car to my right. As I was overtaking there was a lorry coming up. I saw that I had space to overtake the car. I did so and pulled back in. I looked in my mirror and I saw Louis's lights coming out. I saw the impact. I tried to talk to him through the intercom. There was no response. Then I realised what had happened."
Mr Rogerson said he returned to the scene to find an ambulance in attendance.
A post mortem report gave the cause of death as brain injuries and bone fractures due to a head injury. It stated there was an indication of cannabis use in Mr Harvey's system. And that signs of it could remain for days and weeks in regular smokers, and up to 24 hours in occasional users. It also stated that drowsiness and impaired reaction were among its effects.
Black Country Assistant Coroner Mr Angus Smillie said: "I have heard that Louis used cannabis twice in the preceding days and it possible that it may have impeded his judgement."
He recorded a conclusion that Mr Harvey, of Elm Street, suffered a head injury and died as a result of a road traffic accident.
When he died Mr Harvey's mother Julie, aged 42, said he had been excited about the trip to Europe. The family said he had dreamed of becoming a Formula One mechanic and had a flair for motorsports.
Mr Harvey's father Warren, aged 44, a painter and decorator, previously paid tribute, saying: "He started off with a scooter when he was 16, then he passed his test and moved up to the bigger bike.
"He loved going out on his bike with his friends. He was well respected and well known. He loved his course and he loved life."
