A crash on the Mountain Road that resulted in a 27-year-old motorcyclist’s death was an accident, an inquest heard.
Luke Ogden, 27, from Wolverhampton, was killed when his Suzuki Bandit 1200 lost control near Brandywell Corner and collided with an oncoming car on July 14 last year.
The Ministry of Defence mechanical engineer was visiting the island for the first time with a group of motocyclist enthusiasts - another of whom died just two days beforehand on the same stretch of road.
Coroner of Inquests John Needham recommenced the inquest at the Douglas Courthouses yesterday (Thursday).
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Although Mr Ogden’s speed was unknown, the coroner suggested that the Department of Infrastructure might take into review the derestricted speed limits on the Mountain Road following the deaths of Mr Ogden and 54-year-old group mate Kenneth Allen, from Bilston.
Mr Needham said: ’What I find unusual is that he was one of the group of riders which attended from the UK during the Southern 100 visiting the island [another of whom] unfortunately suffered a fatal collision at almost the exact same spot 48 hours before the collision involving Luke.
’However, this was nothing but an unlucky coincidence.’
Mr Ogden had forced his brakes when approaching the corner, causing him and his vehicle to slide to the opposite lane and into a Daihatsu car with three people inside. He died instantly on impact.
’Misjudgement of the corner’ or a ’distraction’ were listed as possibilities of why he slammed his brake.
There was nothing the driver of the car could have done nothing to avoid the issue and the road and weather conditions were all good, Mr Needham said.
The coroner thanked those who gave their assistance at the scene, including a woman who looked after those involved in the collision, slowed down traffic and covered Mr Ogden’s body with blankets.
Mr Needham said: ’I didn’t know Luke, but looking at evidence he was a very hard working and professional engineer and was a close family man. It’s tragic that his life was cut so short in respect to this collision.’