A MOTORCYCLIST who died after a crash with a tractor was speeding before the collision, an inquest has heard.

Alex Smith, 36, from Chard, died as a result of fatal injuries he suffered in the crash on the A30 near Chard on October 3 at approximately 2.30pm last year.

An inquest into his death was held today (March 1) and heard Mr Smith crashed into the tractor as he tried to overtake it, as he didn’t realise the tractor was turning right into another lane.

Mr Smith, a father-of-two, was travelling towards Chard on the A30, which has a speed limit of 60mph, at the time of the crash and the inquest heard a statement from PC Julian Chambers, from the Avon and Somerset Police Collision Unit, read out by Senior Coroner for Somerset Eastern Tony Williams.

PC Chambers said the bike, a blue Suzuki GSXR, was completely destroyed in the incident, and that there were multiple tyre marks on the road, with two “distinct” slide marks where Mr Smith had landed after he’d been thrown off the bike.

PC Chambers said during the police investigation into the crash, a “ghost camera card” was recovered from the wreckage of the bike, which showed that Mr Smith had been driving at excessive speed during the journey, but couldn’t be exact on the speed.

He said the card showed the bike appeared to move to the offside as though he was trying to overtake the tractor, before realising too late that it was turning.

Mr Smith then braked and the rear tyre skidded, leading to a lack of stability, before he was hurled off the bike, PC Chambers added.

A report read out at the inquest that stated he had no alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of the crash.

The inquest also heard statements from the driver of the tractor, Andrew Lock, and another motorist Richard Gurd.

Mr Lock, who was working as an agricultural contractor moving maize for a local farmer, said he was travelling at a maximum of 26mph, before slowing down to around 5mph or 6mph as he turned.

Mr Lock said: “I looked into Red Barn Lane to make sure it was clear and I did not see the motorcycle.

“Having turned I then heard and felt a loud explosion, I didn’t see it I just felt it.

“I saw the motorcyclist in the road and was in shock, some other people had stopped and said the motorcyclist had passed them at high speed.”

A statement from Richard Gurd, who was driving along the road, was also read out.

He said: “At around 2.30pm I was driving along the A30, visibility was good and the conditions were dry. I was travelling at a steady 50-60mph, when I heard a bike scream past, I estimate it must have been travelling between 80 and 100mph and it just shot past.

“Ahead of me I could see it approaching the right bend leaning to the right, I reached the scene around 30 seconds later.

A tractor was turning into side road on the right hand side, two vehicles in front of me had stopped and pulled over so I did the same.”

Coroner Tony Williams ruled that it was impossible to estimate how fast Mr Smith had been driving, but agreed with PC Chambers that he had been speeding excessively.

Following his death, scores of tributes were paid to Mr Smith, who was a much-loved member of the community.

Hundreds of people took to social media to post their own personal tribute, and Yeovil-based Powerbox International, where Mr Smith worked, also paid tribute to him.

A statement from the firm's directors and staff said: “Alex was a highly capable supply chain professional with a great personal approach to business.

“He was well liked and made a big impact in his time with the company. He will be greatly missed.

"He had previously worked at ChudleyInternational at Ilton where he was good friends with director Adam Chudley."

Mr Chudley added: “Alex was a good friend who did a lot for me – this really is a very sad time.
“For anyone who knew Alex you will know how much ability he had to make people laugh and he will be so sadly missed.”
Mr Chudley added: “We send our love to Alex’s family at this very sad time.

"Sleep well Smithy.”