A MOTORCYCLIST sadly died as a result of a road traffic collision a coroner has ruled.

The inquest into the death of Steven Peter Morrey concluded on Friday, and during the two-hour remote hearing the coroner ruled that Mr Morrey sadly died as a result of multiple injuries due to a collision with a refuse wagon on March 27, 2020.

The court heard how the 57-year-old father of two, from Aspatria, was travelling on the A596 near the Crosby junction when he collided with the side of the bin wagon.

A statement was read to the court from Janice Morrey, Mr Morrey’s wife.

The statement read: “He was brought up in Barnsley, where he lived there for about five years before moving to Zambia because his father took up a teaching position there.

“On returning to England the family settled in Hartlepool. We bought our first family home together when Steve was 20-years-old.

“I first met Steve when I was 14 years old.”

Mr and Mrs Morrey went on to have two children, Adam and Sam, and described themselves as “a close family unit”.

Mr Morrey was a police officer for 30 years, receiving two chief constable commendations – one for bravery and one for his investigation into a paedophile ring.

After 30 years' service in the police, Mr Morrey along with his family retired to Cumbria.

The statement explained: “Steve had ridden off-road-type bikes since the age of 14.

“He had an extensive knowledge of engines and motorbike models.

“On the day of the collision, I left the house to go to work and left Steve to get dressed for the day. We did not discuss what he would be doing.

“He did not mention going out on his bike. I know that Steve had owned the motorbike he was driving for about a year.

“He was due to get some new tyres on it. He had been working on the bike over the past few weeks.

“As a couple, if we ever went out in the car, we rarely went to Maryport, and if went to Workington we would head on the A595 to Cockermouth and then head on the main road. I’m still in shock as to why the collision happened.”

Nurse Mairi Clark was a witness to the collision. Having just finished a night shift at the Cumberland Infirmary she was travelling home when the collision happened.

In a statement to the court, she said: “I had just gone through Aspatria when I saw a motorcycle come speeding up from behind me and overtake me. There was another car in front of me, a black Ford Focus. We were now approaching a bad bend at Crosby Villa.

“I could see in the distance a blue bin lorry with it flashing yellow lights on, I could see his right hand indicator was on to turn right.

“It was clear and visible. I saw the motorbike continue on the wrong side of the road.”

Mr Morrey then collided into the right-hand side of the bin lorry. Mrs Clark put on her hazard lights, ran over to the rider and tried to find a pulse.

It was Mrs Clark who called the emergency services

Mr Morrey was pronounced dead at the scene.

In her concluding statement area coroner Kirsty Gomersal said: “Mr Steven Peter Morrey died on March 27 on the A596 between Crosby Villa and Crosby. Steve was riding his motorbike in a westerly direction towards Maryport.

“He had overtaken one vehicle when he approached a refuse collection wagon that was travelling in the same direction.

“The wagon was preparing to turn right and was indicating to do. Steve approached at about 80mph. He collided with the right side of the wagon.

“Steve sustained significant injuries from the collision in which he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“He died due to a road traffic collision.”