Man died in crash with goalpost while testing bike

A motorcyclist was killed when he crashed into a football goalpost while testing a new bike on a playing field, an inquest heard.

Alan Scamp chose the field next to Park Lane in Aveley so he could "open it up", but the area was dark and unlit, Essex Coroner's Court heard.

The 22-year-old's friend, Harvey Ramsey, described hearing a "metal on metal noise" as he smashed into the framework at 21:55 BST on 16 October.

Area coroner Michelle Brown ruled Scamp, from South Ockendon, died from multiple injuries, including fractures to his spine and pelvis.

He was riding the "powerful" KTM 250cc bike at between 30mph and 40mph (48km/h and 64km/h) and with no headlights.

In a statement read to the court, Ramsey said he had been at the field, by Belhus Golf Club and Leisure Centre, with Scamp and his brother.

"We were originally going to take the bike to another park, but Alan suggested going to Belhus so we could open it up a bit more," he said.

"It was getting dark when we first got there and getting darker while we were there.

"Nothing was ever said between the three of us to look out for goalposts, it was just something I thought about but I didn't feel the need to say."

Ramsey, a roofer from Purfleet, said Scamp was "going through the gears" when he heard a loud "metal on metal noise as the bike hit the goalpost".

The coroner said "panic ensued" and police, paramedics and an air ambulance were called to the scene.

However, experienced rider Scamp was pronounced dead at the scene.

Concluding the inquest in Chelmsford, Brown said the circumstances were not suspicious and a police investigation did not follow.

She ruled Scamp's death was as a result of a road traffic collision.

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