Biker dies in tree collision

Apr 14 2008 By Jane Tyler

A YOUNG motorcyclist died when he lost control on a notorious bend of a Staffordshire road, an inquest heard.

Nathan Wakelam, aged 21, crashed into a tree on the stretch known to bikers as "the 60mph bend" on the A458 Stourbridge to Bridgnorth road.

It has been given that nickname because of the speed motorcyclists generally take it, Birmingham coroner's court was told.

Nathan, a trainee retail manager who lived with his parents in Waterfield Close, Tipton, died in hospital from severe head injuries a week after the accident.

The inquest heard how Nathan was out on his Yamaha 600cc bike with his friend Matthew Timmins on Good Friday last year.

They had just passed Enville on the A458 and Nathan was in front, with Matthew about 20 yards behind.

Matthew said: "We had slowed down to about 50mph on the bend when I saw Nathan's bike wobble a bit, straighten up and then he went out of control, mount the grass verge and hit the tree."

First on the scene was motorist Jeffrey Glock who said that even though Nathan was wearing a crash helmet, it was obvious he had suffered a serious head injury.

He said: "I don't know that area but my wife does and she told me that bend is known as the '60mph bend' because of the speed at which motorcyclists take it."

Accident investigator Pc Mark Mold said Nathan lost control because his foot peg scraped the road as he banked left to take the bend.

"Once that happened he couldn't regain control and sadly collided with the only tree in that vicinity," he said.

Deputy Birmingham Coroner Christopher Ball recorded a verdict of accidental death.