A MUCH-LOVED father-of-four and experienced motorcyclist from Clacton died following a head-on collision, an inquest heard.
Ronnie Sheehan, 36, died from multiple injuries at the scene of the crash in Marine Parade East, Clacton, at 7.50pm on March 22.
An inquest held at Essex Coroner's Court on Wednesday recorded that Mr Sheehan died as the result of an accident.
The inquest heard he died after the black Kawasaki motorcycle he was riding collided with a silver Vauxhall combo panel van, driven by Glen Rose.
Both vehicles burst into flames following the impact.
A post mortem examination found he died of polytrauma and a road traffic collision. A polytrauma is when someone has been subjected to multiple traumatic injuries.
PC James Griffin, from the Essex Police Collision Investigation Unit, told the inquest a witness statement said the motorcycle was travelling at high speed when it hit the van.
- Florals tributes were laid where the tragedy happened
His investigation found the motorcycle was in the opposite carriage way when the collision happened, although he could not say how fast either vehicle was travelling.
“He was wearing the attire I would expect to see from a sensible motorcyclist,” he said.
He added: “Mr Sheehan rode on the wrong side of the road directly into the van’s path.”
He added that it was not known at which point Mr Sheehan and Mr Rose saw each other, but that the motorcycle may have become lost in the background light.
PC Griffin added that Mr Rose would not have been expecting a vehicle to be approaching in his lane.
The inquest heard Mr Sheehan, who was an experienced motorcyclist, had been at Fossils Café in St Osyth Road before he rode his friend’s motorcycle along the seafront.
Speaking to the family, Essex Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: “What a tragic accident. He was clearly so much loved, seeing you all here today, and I again express the court’s sympathy. We hope you will be able to think of the happy memories.”
- Family and friends left heatrbreaking tributes at the scene of the crash
Following the inquest, Ronnie’s wife Emma thanked the emergency services and a woman who stopped to help him following the crash.
She added: “Ronnie was a loving, caring dad, husband, brother and uncle. Everybody loved him.
“There was never a bad word said about Ronnie.
“He was one in a million.”
A 37-year-old man from Clacton had previously been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, but the inquest heard Essex Police was not looking to make any prosecutions.
- Pals rode out in memory of biker Ronnie
Following the tragic death dozens of motorcyclists gathered at the spot he was killed in a crash in tribute to their friend.
His pals retraced the route of his final ride from The Fossils Cafe, in St Osyth Road, to Marine Parade East.
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