Dad selling his motorbike had ‘one last go’ before dying in crash
A dad died after crashing a motorbike while having 'one last ride' before selling it.
Anthony Draper was showing the buyers his KTM bike moments before attempting to perform a wheelie while having one last ride on it. The 29-year-old, from Wigan[1], died at the scene in Rutland Road on April 18, this year after crashing into a concrete post near his home.
An inquest heard[2] that Mr Draper climbed on his bike without a helmet or protective clothing to have "one last go." After turning the bike around, witnesses recalled seeing Mr Draper "pull a wheelie" before losing control and crashing.
Friends performed first aid on Mr Draper but he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, the MEN reports.[4] His mum, Jennifer Draper said he had an "obsession" with motorbikes and had ridden them since a young age.
In a statement read out in court, she said: "You never imagine someone is going to die at the age of 29." The inquest also heard from Adam Brownhill and his friend, Mark, who had visited Mr Draper's home at about 10pm on April 18 to view the orange KTM bike he was selling.
He said Mr Draper informed them he was selling the bike as he had fallen off it six months earlier and broken his leg. After checking the bike by riding it up and down the street, Mr Brownhill said his friend decided to buy it. After agreeing on a price, Mr Brownhill said Mr Draper told his friend: "I'll have one last go."
Anthony Draper
After crashing into the gate post, Mr Draper stood up before collapsing in the road. Dr David Barker, a consultant pathologist, gave Mr Draper's cause of death as "multiple injuries."
Toxicology tests showed Mr Draper had traces of cannabis and cocaine in his system, but Dr Barker said it was not possible to say whether the drugs had impacted him at the time of the crash. The inquest also heard from PC Cooper, a collision reconstruction officer, who said there were no problems with the road surface and that the crash had been due to "rider error."
He said CCTV footage showed Mr Draper attempting to cling to the bike's handlebars after becoming unseated during the wheelie manoeuvre. PC Cooper said the bike then travelled for about 40 metres before smashing into the gate post.
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References
- ^ Wigan (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ inquest heard (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Man raped woman then tried to convince her she 'enjoyed it' (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ the MEN reports. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)