Retired police traffic officer killed in Walsall motorbike fall
A retired police traffic officer suffered fatal injuries after losing control and falling off his motorbike in Walsall, an inquest heard.
Alan Morgan joined West Midlands Police in 1979 and had retired from the force but was still working as a civilian employee just before his death, the inquest at Smethwick Council House was told.
The father-of-two, of Burntwood, died after falling off his Honda motorbike on his way home from work at Perry Barr police station on the evening of December 15 last year.
The accident happened in Queslett Road East, Pheasey, and Mr Morgan suffered head and neck injuries.
The 58-year-old, who lived at Oak Lane, Burntwood, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Speaking at his inquest, his wife Carol Morgan said he had a passion for motorbikes and was an experienced rider.
She said the night before the accident they had put their Christmas tree up.
Mrs Morgan said she had been expecting her husband home by 8.30pm on December 15 and knew there was something wrong when two police officers knocked on her door at 9.30pm.
She told the inquest: "I knew it was fatal with two policemen being there.
"I just don't know what happened.
"He was a good rider. He trained me to ride."
The court heard that Mr Morgan also had diabetes, but colleagues had seen him preparing a meal shortly before he died.
Pc Phil Robins, from the collision investigation unit at Perry Barr, said Mr Morgan had fallen from his motorbike near the junction with Doe Bank Lane.
He said conditions had been cold and dry and the road surface was not frozen.
The inquest heard a witness saw his back wheel slide out.
Pc Robins said he could not say exactly why Mr Morgan had fallen, adding: "We are at a loss really to explain why a very competent, experienced and skilled motorcyclist should come off."
Black Country Coroner Zafar Siddique said there was no suggestion Mr Morgan had been speeding and no evidence he suffered a heart attack or black out.
He said: "Certainly one of his first passions was his motorbikes.
"He knew his bikes inside out.
"It's very difficult to be absolutely certain what happened.
"The exact circumstances leading to that would be speculation."
He concluded that Mr Morgan had died as a result of a road traffic collision.
Speaking after the inquest, Mr Morgan's wife said: "He was taken too soon.
"He's sadly missed."
He also leaves behind his daughter Stephanie, 26, and son Anthony, 24.
