Inquest hears teenager Ryan Bugg's bike was unsafe

Ryan Bugg, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, died after he lost control of his Kawasaki 125 on Rectory Road, Rowhedge.

He suffered a fractured skull when he hit a concrete post, and was airlifted to the specialist head injuries unit at the Royal London Hospital.

He died on November 1, 2009, the day after the crash.

At an inquest into his death in Chelmsford yesterday, assistant deputy coroner Tina Harrington heard Ryan had taken a bend at such speed, he crossed over the road into oncoming traffic.

The 18-year-old avoided hitting a taxi, driven by Lorne Tudge, but lost control of his bike and flew into a fence.

PC Graham Lant, from the traffic collision investigation unit of Essex Police, told the family the condition of the bike and road was to blame.

He said: “The rear wheel slipped on the wet road. It’s possible Ryan tried to pass the car on the near side, but the tyres weren’t suitable for the road.

“Ryan’s crash helmet was not properly secured.”

He said it was likely a combination of the type of tyre on the motorcycle and the wet road, was the cause of the loss of control.

Mr Tudge, who was present at the inquest, was absolved of all blame by the coroner and told he could not have done anything differently.

Ryan was riding in a convoy with three of his friends at the time of the accident. Craig Buchanen, who was riding next to him, also attended the inquest.

Ryan was born and grew up in Colchester. He went to Monkwick Infants and Junior, and Thomas Lord Audley schools. He took a welding course at Colchester Institute and had been working in window fabrication and installation.

He had two sisters, Toni and Jenna, and a brother, Lee, as well as a step-sister, Melissa, and a step-brother, Martin.

Ms Harrington recorded a verdict of accidental death, with the cause of death a fractured skull.

Ryan’s parents, Robin and Lindsey Bugg, were at the inquest.

Mr Bugg said afterwards: “All the family are just so upset. He was very popular.”