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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Joel Moore

'Trusting' motorcyclist thought road was clear before fatal overtake

A 'trusting and experienced' motorcyclist died after attempting an overtake on the bend of a major Nottinghamshire road, an inquest has found.

Nathan Ashworth, 27, from St Ann's, thought the A60 Mansfield Road, near Arnold, was clear but he was fatally hit by a van whilst riding alongside a work colleague on June 7 last year.

The pair, who were working for IT firm Littlefish and travelling to Sheffield, were using a bluetooth device to communicate whilst riding.

An inquest held on Wednesday, March 2, heard how his colleague had already overtaken a Nissan Qashqai on the 50mph road, and told Nathan that once a white van had gone past, the carriageway would be clear.

However, there were two vans, and as Nathan pulled out to overtake after the first had passed, he had just 0.7 seconds to try and pull away.

Speaking in court, his mum, Jeanette, said Nathan had been riding a motorcycle from the age of 18 and "would never pull out on a whim".

"[Nathan's colleague] had only passed his test a month ago. Had this have been a more experienced rider I don't think this would have occurred.

"Nathan was not a reckless or dangerous driver, this is a genuine case of trusting your friend with information. He would never have put himself in danger like that."

Assistant coroner, Gordon Clow, said: "It doesn't seem to make any sense that he would off his own back pull out."

Jeanette replied: "He had never had an accident, he would never pull out on a whim and I want everybody to know that."

Mr Clow, referring to a statement by Nathan's colleague, told the court that Nathan had originally been travelling in front, but his faulty Sat Nav meant they had to swap positions.

(L-R) sisters Maraya and Megan, mum Jeanette and Nathan (Supplied)

Also among family members - who are from Derby - at the inquest were Nathan's sisters, Maraya and Megan Ashworth.

Speaking after the proceedings, Maraya told Nottinghamshire that she was "really close" to Nathan.

"He was a really trusting person," she said.

"We will always remember and celebrate Nathan. His laugh, his huge heart and big warm hugs. We will celebrate his life and all the amazing things he achieved and most importantly the memories we made with him.

"We only wish we had time to make more. We miss Nathan so much."

Stephen Farrell, a forensic collision investigator at Nottinghamshire Police, was the only person to give evidence during proceedings at Nottingham Council House.

Referring to on-scene evidence, witness accounts and dash-cam footage, he described how Nathan had attempted to pull out of the overtake, but was hit by the van and thrown in front of the Qashqai.

Mr Farrell ruled out any fault of the drivers in the car and van, which were thought to be travelling at around 45mph.

"They were both travelling within the 50mph limit, but you have essentially a combined speed of 90mph colliding," said Mr Clow.

The A60 Mansfield Road (Google)

A post mortem carried out at Queens Medical Centre found that Nathan had died of multiple injuries.

A toxicology report confirmed he had not consumed any alcohol or drugs prior to the incident.

Concluding, Mr Clow said: "Both riders placed undue confidence in the communication between them. It can never be completely trustworthy.

He said all the other vehicles involved were "driving in accordance with the conditions and speed limit".

Nathan's death was ruled as being due to a road traffic collision.

Mr Clow added that he had been "struck by the tragedy" of the case, telling the family: "I have no doubt that Nathan was an experienced driver.

"It was less than a second and it has brought tragedy to you all."

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