Falklands veteran killed at 100mph in M6 smash

Anthony Arrandale died after his orange Kawasaki 1,000cc motorbike collided with two other bikes and a car between junction 14 for Stafford and junction 15 for Yarnfield near Stone.

He was travelling at almost 30 miles over the national speed limit, approaching 100mph, at the time of the smash. The 62-year-old from Blackpool was travelling to Plymouth on July 13 last year with his wife Wendy.

The couple had been due to catch a ferry to Portugal for a holiday together. But the grandfather of two failed to spot debris in the road caused by a lorry blow out and collided with two other bikes at a speed of 96mph.

He was taken to University Hospital of North Staffordshire where he later died from his injuries. His wife was also hospitalised as a result of her injuries.

Giving evidence at Cannock Coroner's Court, Pc Carl Derry, from Staffordshire Police's collision investigation unit, said: "

Footage from a static camera shows a blue Kawasaki move to lane three from lane one before the orange motorcycle crashes into it. He then hits another motorcyclist and the blue bike crashes into a VW Polo. The orange motorcycle keeps a consistent speed on approach of 100mph and I can offer no reason why the rider failed to notice the incident ahead or slow down."

No defects were found on the throttle, on the brakes of the bike or on any of the other vehicles involved.

South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh said Mr Arrandale had been travelling at a 'considerable speed' and did not break until the last minute.

He gave the cause of death as multiple injuries and concluded Mr Arrandale died as the result of a road traffic collision.