Crash victim's family face funeral delay

May 5 2007 By Patrice John, Birmingham Mail

THE grieving family of a motorcyclist who died on a busy Birmingham road have been told they will not be able to bury his body yet.

Birmingham Coroner's Court heard that Gene Alan Dalton, aged 35, was riding in Slade Road, Erdington, when he collided with a van before crashing into a bus shelter on Tuesday. The self-employed builder, of Erdington, died at the scene.

Speaking at an inquest into his death, Sgt Dave Lawrence confirmed the circumstances of Mr Dalton's death. He said: "He was travelling along Slade Road, Birmingham atm 10.05am on Tuesday May 1.

"It would appear at some point a van pulled out. He travelled down the side of the van. He then lost control of the vehicle and impacted with a bus shelter and that caused his death."

Sgt Lawrence said the driver of the van involved in the incident had been interviewed but not been charged. He also told the inquest that police were waiting for a number of key witnesses to be found.

Birmingham Coroner Aidan Cotter told Mr Dalton's family that the van driver's solicitors had asked him to retain the body so a post-mortem examination could be carried out.

He said this would delay the date of the funeral and he would be try to find out why they wanted this.

He adjourned the inquest until next Friday to await an answer from the solicitors.