Inquest hears quad bikers death was accidental

A hotel worker may have lost control of his quad bike before crashing into a telegraph pole, an inquest heard today. 

Stephen Platt died when his bike left the road near the Robin Hood Pub on the Maidenhead-bound carriageway of the A308 Marlow Road on August 25, last year.

He was thrown from his bike after hitting a set of small wooden posts and hit the pole head-on. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The Spring Close resident was driving home after finishing his shift in the kitchen of the Compleat Angler Hotel in Marlow when witnesses say they saw him driving 'erratically' and swerving in the road.

The inquest heard a statement made by his colleague, Herbert Redzinski, who said Mr Platt appeared 'not very familiar' with the bike, which he had purchased less than three weeks before the crash, after stalling it outside  the hotel.

Investigating officer PC Kevin Spiller said the manufacturers film, which was covered in writing and advertisements, was also left on the visor of the Spring Close residents crash helmet which may have impaired his vision.

The coroner for Berkshire Peter Bedford said it seemed 'extraordinary' that Mr Platt was unaware the film was still stuck to his visor and that his inexperience of driving the bike was a key issue in the death.

He recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest which was held at Windsor Guildhall.

Malcolm Platt said after the hearing the verdict was what the family had expected and that his brother is 'sorely missed'.

He said: "It was a tragic accident but now we hope we can move on with our lives."