A NOVICE motorcyclist who died when he lost control and crashed was twice over the drink-drive limit, a coroner heard on Tuesday.

Lee Charlton, 29, of Grasmere Road, Up Hatherley, Cheltenham, was riding on the A417 at Crickley Hill, in the early hours of April 21 last year when tragedy struck.

Gloucestershire Coroners Court concluded that he died as a result of motorcycling inexperience and excess alcohol in his body.

The inquest heard that the emergency services were called to the scene just before 1am after receiving a call from a member of the public who came across Mr Charlton after the crash.

The witness stated, he came across some debris in the road, stopped his car and realised there had been an accident. He got out of his car and used his high-vis vest as a flag to warn approaching motorists as his wife dialled 999.

One of the passing motorists was PC Mathew Haynes in an unmarked car who also struck some of the debris as he noticed a passer-by waving a high-vis jacket. Police officers arrived at the scene and concluded that Mr Charlton's head injury was so severe that he was already dead.

A police helicopter was called to see if there were signs of a pillion passenger.

The assistant Gloucestershire coroner Ian Dreelan concluded: “The 29-year-old riding along the A417 failed to negotiate a left hand bend, hit a post and suffered a blunt head injury. He died from blunt head injuries in an alcohol related collision.”

Mr Dreelan said to Mr Charlton’s family: “He was clearly taken far too young.”

Conclusion Road Traffic Collision.