Teen motorcyclist died after wheelie

A teenager died after he attempted a wheelie on his new motorbike and lost control, an inquest heard.

Matthew Follen was just 17 when he died from injuries sustained on September 8 last year on Whyteleafe Road, Caterham. His Yamaha 125 motorbike skidded off the road and hit a tree.

Sitting at Woking coroner's court, deputy coroner Dr Karin Englehart heard expert evidence that Mr Follen's crash helmet had not been fastened at the time of the accident.

Accident investigator PC Andrew Salt, of Surrey Police, said: "The motorcycle was on its side. It went up [a tree], when it impacted and spun up and round, wrapped itself around the tree and then fell to the ground.

"There were tyre marks at the scene consistent with a loss of control. His crash helmet was found up the side of the road. It had extensive damage to it. It had not been fastened correctly.

"When he landed on the road it would have been torn off, then he subsequently hit his head unprotected."

PC Salt said he believed the motorbike had been speeding as it hit the tree. He said: "The amount of damage would be inconsistent with a speed of under 30 miles an hour. The massive amount of damage to the motorcycle would not have been done at less than that speed."

He said he thought the skid marks he found at the scene suggested the driver lost control as he put the front wheel down after trying to wheelie.

He added: "Pulling a wheelie would be completely consistent with the loss of control."

Although no one witnessed the accident, the court heard neighbours had been alerted to the crash by the noise of a revving engine. Mr Follen, of Goodenough Way, Old Coulsdon, was taken to East Surrey Hospital but died that evening.

Dr Englehart recorded a verdict of accidental death, and extended her condolences to Mr Follen's family.

Mr Follen's family did not attend the hearing, and had not commented on the verdict as the Mirror went to press.