THE DEATH of a Milford Haven man, who crashed a friend’s sports motorcycle through railings at the town’s Rath, was an accident, Pembrokeshire Coroner’s Court heard yesterday (Thursday).

Luke John Allerton, 35, of Coombes Drive was pronounced dead at Withybush hospital in the early hours of April 28 following the crash.

Coroner’s Officer for Dyfed Powys Police Jeremy Davies said Mr Allerton, a former labourer, was described as a competent rider.

The court heard Mr Allerton and friends, including Daniel Matthews, the owner of the blue Suzuki GSXR600 motorcycle, had met at the town’s Lidl supermarket at midnight before moving to Coombes Drive.

After the motorcycle was placed on its side-stand, Mr Allerton, who did not have a current motorcycle licence, rode off without a crash helmet.

The motorcycle was heard accelerating hard through the gears, but went silent a short while later.

Mr Allerton was seen at the Rath, allegedly riding at speed from Murray Road toward Hamilton Terrace before colliding with railings by the Fisherman’s Monument.

The court heard the impact was hard enough for the bike’s front forks to be ripped from the headstock before it finally ended up on a nearby footpath. Mr Allerton was later taken to Withybush, but was pronounced dead shortly after 1am.

A post-mortem report by Dr Leonard Simpkin said Mr Allerton was above the legal drink drive limit.

Evidence of recent cocaine use was also detected.

The report concluded the death was due to multiple injuries sustained, including injuries to the lung, spine, liver, and blunt head trauma at fatal levels.

Dyfed-Powys Police forensic collision investigator PC Gary Rees said: “Having conducted enquiries it would appear that the kick stand has come into contact with the top of the kerb.”

The motorcycle then travelled upright along the kerb on the wrong side of the road before colliding with the railings.

The road itself was in good condition, was dry, and no defects were found on the bike.

“It would appear this collision was down to inappropriate actions of the deceased, no helmet, possible inappropriate speed and being under the influence,” said PC Rees.

Deputy Coroner Gareth Lewis recorded at determination of accidental death.

“I’m very clear this is a sad case of a road traffic accident,” said Mr Lewis.