A teenage motorcyclist with a “big heart” was killed when he was involved in a head on crash with a taxi. Steven Lake died almost instantly when he was thrown from his Honda motorbike onto the roof of the car, which was taking two youngsters home from school.

A teenage motorcyclist with a “big heart” was killed when he was involved in a head on crash with a taxi.

Steven Lake died almost instantly when he was thrown from his Honda motorbike onto the roof of the car, which was taking two youngsters home from school.

An inquest at the Assembly House in Norwich heard how the former Attleborough High School student rounded a bend on the B1110 Watton Road near Merton, and was on the wrong side of the road when he was hit.

Conrad Sellers, who was driving the silver Peugeot 406, said how he spotted the 18-year-old just moments as he rounded the bend but it was too late.

Mr Sellers added: “I approached the bend and took my foot off the accelerator and slowed down and as I approached the bend I looked and there was a motorcycle coming towards me on my side of the road.

“It was as quick as that; there was no way to avoid it.”

Steven, from Peckthorpe Lane in Thompson, near Watton, had been heading home when the accident happened at about 3.30pm on Friday, May 1.

PC Nicholas Kett, who was at the scene, said there was a substantial amount of undergrowth on the side of the road which could have obscured the view but that if Steven had been on the correct side of the road this would have been minimised.

In recording a verdict that Steven died as a result of a road accident, Greater Norfolk coroner William Armstrong said young rider had made a mistake but was not an irresponsible motorcyclist.

He said: “Steven was pronounced dead at the scene which will give some comfort to his family that he died almost instantly.

“It's clear from all of the evidence the view Steven would have had was restricted, but the police made the point that the nearer he was to the near side of the bend the better visibility he would have had.

“In my opinion he was a good rider and was not reckless in any way but clearly he made a misjudgement which in this case had tragic consequences.”

Mr Armstrong also read out part of a statement from Steven's father, David Lake, who was present at the inquest with Steven's mother Sheila, about the loss the family had suffered.

He read: “Steven was out big, beautiful boy and we always knew when he was home. He had a big heart, and was generous with his time and we loved him and knew he loved us.

“Steven leaves a big gap in our lives which can never be filled.”