County Durham teenager died after motorbike crashed into taxi, inquest hears

County Durham teenager died after motorbike crashed into taxi, inquest hears



County Durham teenager died after motorbike crashed into taxi, inquest hears

Tony Hedley’s blue motorbike was seen hitting the side of a white taxi turning right onto Charles Street from Park Road, in Stanley, on October 5.

An inquest at Crook Coroners’ Court heard that Tony, aged 16, had a pillion passenger as he travelled through Stanley.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident where the boys “appeared to be going faster than 30mph” when they collided with the taxi.

The motorbike travelled down the road and both boys were thrown off. Tony suffered injuries to his head, neck and torso.

In a statement read in court, eyewitness Kenneth Seymour, said: “At around 8pm on Charles Street I approached the junction where I indicated to my right.

“As I was about five yards away I saw the white taxi turning right onto Charles Street.

“When the taxi was turning there was no traffic and the road was clear to turn.

“As I got to the junction a blue motorbike came out of the blue at speed and collided with the side door (of the taxi).

“The rider came off the bike. The motorbike travelled about 150 yards up the road.

“I didn’t notice in the moment that there had been a pillion passenger.”

A collision investigator, PC Davies-Luke, was present at the court and confirmed that the motorcycle appeared to be going “faster” than other vehicles on the road.

She said: “CCTV shows it (the motorbike) is travelling faster than other traffic in the area.

“It appears to be going faster than the 30-mph speed limit.”

PC Davies-Luke also confirmed that neither of the vehicles had any defects which contributed to the incident. 

“The road surface was in a reasonable condition. Visibility was good. Upon examination of the vehicles there were no defects that could have contributed,” she added.

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The court heard that Tony did not have any traces of alcohol or drugs in his system.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be a combination of head and neck injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.

Concluding Tony died of a road traffic collision, Senior Coroner for Durham and Darlington Jeremy Chipperfield told the family: “I’m really sorry for your loss. Thank you for coming.”




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