Kettering motorbike rider died after failing to see bend, inquest hears

David Hodges, 57, died after he crashed into a gatepost in Main Road, Grendon, shortly before 2pm on December 29 last year.

An inquest in Kettering yesterday (Thursday) heard how he had been out riding with his son Jason and two friends when he approached a slight right-hand bend.

But rather than taking the line of the road, Mr Hodges approached the bend at about 50mph before braking hard and sliding off the road.

He careered into a gated fence and a gatepost, where he suffered fatal chest injuries and died at the scene despite the best efforts of an air ambulance crew.

Connor Tilley, who was riding behind Mr Hodges, told the inquest a similar incident happened on a country road near Orlingbury and ‘laughed it off’ just two weeks earlier.

He believed that incident caused Mr Hodges to over-react and brake too sharply when approaching the Grendon bend, causing him to slide off.

Forensic collision investigator PC Nathan Gallon said Mr Hodges’ Triumph bike had no mechanical defects and the incident was down to rider error.

He said: “Mr Hodges was travelling towards Grendon and his bike had no mechanical defects.

“He either failed to see the hazard or braked too late.

“Having considered all of the evidence I believe that the collision occurred due to errors of the driver.”

Mr Hodges’ wife Marion described her husband as ‘the kindest person you could wish to meet’.

She said: “He was at his happiest with his family and loved to spend time on his bike.

“He died doing what he loved and was the kindest and most helpful person you could wish to meet.

“He will be missed so much by his family and his friends.”

Recording a verdict of accidental death by road traffic collision, senior coroner Anne Pember said: “He was doing what he loved and sadly he failed to see the bend ahead.”