THE family of a former soldier who died in a motorbike crash after travelling at 100mph have come to his defence.

David Coulson, 36, of Benfleet, died in hospital after he crashed his Suzuki motorbike into a hedge in Tillingham Road, Southminster on April 24.

An inquest heard how moments earlier, he had been travelling at more than 100 miles per hour.

PC Jason Howard, of Essex Police's forensic investigation unit, told Wednesday's inquest he had arrived at 3pm, 90 minutes after the crash.

He said: “Mr Coulson and a group of friends had been travelling from the direction of Burnham up to Bradwell-on-Sea, passing through Southminster before proceeding onto Tillingham Road.

“The weather on the day was calm and clear, and the road surface was in good condition with no need of repair or resurfacing.

“From the motorbike’s digital dash data, we found that while Mr Coulson kept to the speed limits within Southminster, along national speed limit stretches of road he was reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

“When approaching the bend on the B1021, Mr Coulson was travelling at nearly 106 miles per hour before breaking hard, but he did not steer into the bend, which, I can conclude, caused the bike to mount the grass verge, collide with the hedge and fall down the bank on the other side.”

A post mortem found Mr Coulson had died from head and chest injuries, while a toxicology report showed no sign of drugs or alcohol in his system.

Following the evidence, Essex Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: “I deem that David Coulson died as a result of a tragic accident, the family have my deepest sympathies.”

A statement issued by Mr Coulson’s family following the inquest described him as a “sensible and level headed” man.

They said: “David was a loving son, brother, partner and father who served his country for 14 years in the Armed Forces.

“He was a competent driver and motorcyclist having carried out close protection duties whilst in the military as well as passing his advanced riding course in recent years.

“We do not condone the speed that David was riding that day, but sadly, even with the facts as we now know them, we can never be totally sure of what really happened or what other factors may have played a part at the time of the accident.

"But knowing David as we do, we would respectfully request that you do not judge him or label him, but rather accept that this was a very tragic accident.”