Misjudgement cost Yarmouth student his life

A motorcyclist died as a result of a misjudegment he made while overtaking another vehicle, an inquest has heard.

Dominic Burt, who lived at Thurlton, near Loddon, died after his Yamaha motorbike crashed into a tractor and trailer on the B1136 Haddiscoe to Hales road at about 4.25pm on June 15.

An inquest held yesterday at the Assembly House, in Norwich, heard that the 18-year-old Great Yarmouth College hairdressing student was pronounced dead at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital later that day.

A post-mortem examination revealed he died from multiple injuries.

Farmer Paul Watson was travelling along the B1136 up the brow of a hill on a “bright” day and was indicating and slowing down to turn right along a farm track.

After turning in, he said there was a “thump” on the side of the tractor, but added he had not seen the motorcyclist.

Peter Crutchley, the driver of a black VW Golf travelling behind the tractor, said he could see it was indicating to turn right and looked in his rear view mirror. He added: “I saw a helmet and the next thing I know the bike has come past me and there was no-where to go.”

PC Nicholas Kett from the police’s collision investigation unit, said restricted visibility over the crest would have made an overtaking manoeuvre “inappropriate”.

Norfolk coroner William Armstrong said Mr Burt was normally a safe and careful motorcyclist, but had clearly made an “unwise decision” to try to overtake on the brow of a hill, which had been a “misjudgement” on his part.

He recorded a verdict of death as a result of road traffic collision.