Lack of experience and power of bike could have caused death of motorcyclist on the B1107 at Thetford

The B1107 close to the entrance of Thetford Golf Club, where motorcyclist Ryan Tozer died in August 2017. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Ryan Tozer died on the B1107 close to Thetford Golf Club on August 19 last year.

Despite the efforts of an off-duty GP and crews from the East of England Ambulance Service and the air ambulance, the 21-year-old died at the scene.

An inquest in Norwich on Thursday heard how the Mr Tozer, who lived in Churchill Road, Thetford, was seen to lose control of his bike following an overtaking manoeuvre.

In a written statement, Agnieszka Lewandowska told how she was driving towards Thetford with her seven-year-old daughter.

Flowers have been laid next to the B1107 where motorcyclist Ryan Tozer died in August 2017. Picture: Ian Burt

She said she saw a motorcycle travelling towards Brandon “jump suddenly” in the oncoming lane.

She described how the bike was “zig zagging” across the road and said the Mr Tozer was “fighting to stay on the bike and gain control”.

PC Paul McKay, forensic collision investigator, told the inquest the surface of the 60mph limit road was dry and was in a reasonable state.

He said the B1107 presents drivers with “additional hazards” including undulations and hidden dips.

He described there being “minor” ruts in the road caused by heavy traffic use.

And said the road lines at the scene were “quite prominent”. The maximum height of the lines should be 6mm but they were between 9 and 11mm.

PC McKay said: “Mr Tozer crossed into the opposite lane to overtake a number of vehicles in a dip of the road. As he returned to the Brandon lane his vehicle became unstable.”

He added: “The handlebars were shaking from side to side and he could not control this and he was thrown from his machine.”

The officer said Mr Tozer had got an A2 licence in May 2017. The licence limits the rider to a motorcycle with a power output up to 35kW or 400cc. Mr Tozer’s bike was a Honda CBR 600cc.

PC McKay said a limited experience of motorcycles, the power and speed of the motorcycle and the undulation could have been contributing factors.

He added the location chosen to overtake could also have been a “significant factor” in the incident.

A pathologist gave the cause of death as injuries, including a fractured skull, due to a motor bike collision.

Assistant Coroner Johanna Thompson said Mr Tozer’s death was as a result of a road traffic collision.

She offered her condolences to Mr Tozer’s parents who were present in court.