Motorcycle enthusiast from Northumberland suffered fatal injuries in A697 crash

An inquest has heard that a motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries in a crash on the A697 in Northumberland.
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Trevor McGee, 60, from Castle Terrace in Ashington, died when he crashed on the A697 at Haugh Head, near Wooler, while riding his Kawasaki motorcycle.

The hearing was told that the fatal crash happened at 12.29pm on June 29, when Mr McGee lost control of his motorcycle on a bend.

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A statement from his friend, Dax Jones, who had been riding behind him, said it appeared Mr McGee had crossed the central white line, at which point the motorcycle ‘stood up’ and went into a grass verge on the southbound side before veering across the road into the verge on the northbound side where he came off the motorcycle. He estimated they were travelling at around 65mph.

Haugh Head, Wooler. Picture: GoogleHaugh Head, Wooler. Picture: Google
Haugh Head, Wooler. Picture: Google

The pair had earlier become separated from a group of fellow riders.

Paramedics attended and an air ambulance was called but Mr McGee died at the scene.

Police forensics investigator, PC Michael Huxley, told the hearing that he could not find any road or motorcycle defects and the weather had been dry.

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“It might be considered that Mr McGee may have been trying to catch up with his friends and increased his risk-taking,” he said.

He said the motorcycle may have ‘stood up’ when Mr McGee applied the brake and this would make it difficult to regain control.

“Without any evidence to the contrary, it might be considered the collision was caused by Mr McGee’s failure to negotiate a bend on the A697.”

A pathologist’s report concluded he died as a result of head, neck and thoracic injuries. Mr McGee also had a heart condition and this could not be ruled out as a possible factor.

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Tony Brown, senior coroner for north Northumberland, said: “Trevor was known to have a heart condition which involved surgery the previous year but his condition was improved and it could not be said with any certainty if this caused or contributed to the incident. My conclusion is that Trevor McGee died as a result of a road traffic collision.”

He also expressed his sympathies and condolences to Mr McGee’s family and friends.