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Motorcyclist Joe Gibbons was riding almost double the speed limit before he died in A249 at Stockbury

A motorcyclist who died on a dual carriageway was riding at almost twice the speed limit.

Joe Gibbons was on his way to work when his red Yamaha R1 motorbike smashed into the back of a minivan on the Sittingbourne-bound A249 at the South Street junction at Stockbury in September.

The 33-year-old struck the vehicle with such force his machine broke in half.

Joe Gibbons died in a crash on the A249
Joe Gibbons died in a crash on the A249

He was flung across the carriageway and hit a safety barrier.

Mr Gibbons was seriously injured and pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest at Maidstone’s Archbishop’s Palace revealed the scaffolder was travelling between 131mph and 145mph at the time of the crash.

Investigators calculated this using CCTV footage from a nearby car dealership.

PC Natalie Rowley, giving evidence, referred to a conversation with Mr Gibbons’ family saying: “They said that it did not come as a surprise to them, he rode quickly and would persistently take risks.”

She recounted statements from a witness and a co-worker of Mr Gibbons who described him as a ‘crazy driver’ and said he would recount his speed to colleagues.

Just prior the crash he was seen riding at high speed in between a car and an HGV.

Witnesses examine the damage caused after the crash which killed motorcyclist
Witnesses examine the damage caused after the crash which killed motorcyclist

PC Robin Youngs, who conducted a forensic investigation, said: “Possibly because of the position he was riding in, hugging the fuel tank, he may well have been restricted and when he was faced with the vehicle he had nowhere to go.”

Dr Jeannie Essex stopped and went to Mr Gibbons and after checking his pulse decided not to perform CPR.

When she heard this decision did not contribute to his death, she expressed relief, but said she wished she could have done more.

Assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn praised her for helping him at the scene and recorded Mr Gibbons, from Liverpool, died from as injuries in a road traffic collision.

She was relieved to hear that his injuries were so severe that her decision did not contribute to his death.

Assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn addressed her saying: “I hope that the information and evidence we have heard today shows there doesn’t seem to be anything you could have done to help Joseph but I do appreciate it must have been incredibly difficult to go and help him at the scene so I thank you for your efforts on the day.”

Speaking after the hearing she said: “It’s just really sad, he was only a year younger than me. “I just wish I could have done more.”

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