Biker took cocktail of drugs before death crash
A 25-year-old motorcyclist who had consumed alcohol and taken a cocktail of drugs before getting on his bike, lost control of it and hit a tree just moments after waving at a friend, an inquest heard.
Daniel Stephen Manning was travelling along Springhill Road, Burntwood, on November 8, 2015 after a night out with friends when the accident happened.
At Cannock Coroners Court yesterday, Staffordshire (South) Senior Coroner Andrew Haigh gave a conclusion of accidental death, citing the poor condition of the white Shineray motorcycle he was on, the drink and drugs in his body and the fact that he waved to a friend shortly before his death all as contributing factors.
Cause of death was given as a result of multiple injuries.
A toxicology report revealed Mr Manning had 1.2 milligrams of a combination of designer drug 4-MEC, and cocaine in his blood along with 173 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his urine. The legal drink drive limit for alcohol is 107 milligrams in 100 millilitres of urine.
Speaking at the inquest, Mr Manning's friend Ricky Lee Ashcroft, of Morley Road, Burntwood said: "We had all told him the bike would be the death of him and that it was a death trap but you couldn't tell him anything, that was just Danny."
Mr Manning's brother Andrew Manning said: "He was just a joy to be around."
Mr Ashcroft described how Mr Manning had passed him on Springhill Road at around 8.45am on the day of his death, lifting his left hand off the handlebar to wave before he lost control of the bike.
The bike was not registered and Mr Manning did not have a licence to drive the vehicle though he did have experience of driving motorbikes, the inquest heard.
"I just saw the back wheel snake away from him and his legs were under him, not in the normal driving position," Mr Ashcroft added.
Mr Manning veered off across the other side of the road, mounting the kerb and hitting a tree and lamppost.
An off-duty paramedic attended the scene as did Mr Ashcroft but Mr Manning was later pronounced dead by the emergency services.
An investigation into the condition of the bike showed that the seat of the vehicle was not secure.
Mr Ashcroft revealed how Mr Manning and other friends had attended a firework display on the night prior to Mr Manning's death.
Coroner Haigh said: "As a result of this tragic accident I record a verdict of accidental death."
