A MOTORCYCLIST died after his bike scuffed the kerb in an accident, throwing him across the carriageway.

Luke Bunyan, 20, was left with a fractured skull and bleed on the brain when he was thrown against a post following the crash.

He was travelling along Greenstead Road, Colchester, when the accident happened at 4.10am on July 21.

PC David Howard, of Essex Police, said at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court yesterday it was likely they would never know exactly why the incident occurred.

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He said: “The weather had been fine, dry and clear. It was a short section of road which was flat.

“The road has previously been subject to some alterations where the kerb has been extended into the carriageway. It is believed this happened in 2009.

“On inspecting the road there was a tyre scuff on the kerb edge where the motorbike has hit and it continues intermittently along the footpath. There were no other vehicles involved.”

The inquest heard the bike had no faults, Mr Bunyan had been wearing an approved helmet and signs at the road were well lit.

PC Howard said: “After he hit the pole he became separated from the bike and was displaced across the carriageway 19 metres beyond the roadside.

“The bike travelled 45 metres.

“We estimate it had been going 42mph in a 30mph zone.”

The court heard toxicology reports showed Mr Bunyan, who was diabetic, had a small level of cannabis in his blood but it was unknown if this had affected him at the time of the accident.

A post mortem examination showed he was also suffering from pneumonia when he died.

Caroline Beasley Murray, coroner, recorded Mr Bunyan’s death an accident.

She said: “We will never quite know why his motorbike clipped the side of the kerb. It was a tragic accident and he was clearly much loved.”

Mr Bunyan’s parents, grandmother and step mum were all at the inquest.

Speaking after the hearing, they wanted to thank all of the emergency services who had helped on the night of Mr Bunyan’s death.

Parents Rob and Vicky, said: “Luke was a loving, caring son and friend who had a knack of making people laugh at the antics he got up to.

“He was an excellent chef who had a promising career in front of him.

“Sadly his life was brought to a very young and untimely end, but he will never be forgotten and will always live in our hearts.”