An inquest has been held into the death of a well-known Manx businessman who died following a crash at St John’s.

Stephen Hands, 61, was critically injured in a road traffic collision involving his motorcycle and a white Ford Transit Connect van at the junction of Glen Mooar Road and Poortown Road on May 6.

He was flown off island by the Great North Air Ambulance but died three days later at Aintree Hospital in Liverpool on May 9.

The inquest was held on Tuesday and heard how Mr Hands died from a hypoxic brain injury (lack of oxygen to the brain) due to traumatic cardiac arrest, as a result of head and neck injuries sustained in the crash, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Usually, any death involving criminal proceedings does not result in a full inquest as the questions of who died, where, when and how are answered in the criminal courts.

However, as Mr Hands’ inquest was held in a different jurisdiction, the full inquest was concluded at Liverpool Coroner’s Court on Tuesday,

Coroner Andre Rebello concluded Mr Hands died following a ‘road traffic collision’, which is a recognised verdict in coroners’ courts in England but not available in the Isle of Man.

Mr Rebello said he was mindful that criminal proceedings are still ongoing in the Isle of Man and are yet to be determined.

However, he added: ‘The inquest stands on its own two feet.’

Lucia Drlova, of The Bretney in Jurby, appeared before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse in November, where she pleaded not guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving. There will be a pre-trial review on April 21.

Summing up during the inquest, Mr Rebello said: ‘Mr Hands was treated at the scene and the Great Northern Air Ambulance flew him to Aintree which is the trauma centre covering the Isle of Man.

‘However, after treatment, he was sadly verified as having died on May 9.’

Handing down a conclusion of death by road traffic collision, he added: ‘I make no comment as to the proceedings in the Isle of Man because that could potentially prejudice those proceedings.’

Tributes poured in for Mr Hands shortly after his death.

He was the company director and co-founder of Swift Motors in Douglas, a business he launched more than three decades ago alongside his friend and business partner Mark Caley.

In a heartfelt statement shared by the company, they said: ‘We’re incredibly saddened to announce the passing of our company director Steve Hands.

‘Founder of Swift Motors more than 30 years ago with his business partner Mark, he’ll be very sadly missed by his staff, family and friends.

‘He was known for his ability to turn his hand to fixing anything and for great customer service.

‘Swifts won’t be the same without him. A great friend and boss – he’ll always be in our hearts.’

Friends and loved ones have taken to social media to share memories of a man many described as ‘one in a million.’

One post read: ‘Steve would do anything for anyone. He was generous, funny, and full of life – a proper good man.’

Another said: ‘From our school days, our early cycling days and right throughout our years you have always been a rock – a man you could turn to, a man who would help.

‘A true entrepreneur but above all a gentleman. Thank God you lived your life to the full and more recently travelled with your family to anywhere and everywhere.’