Oxfordshire motorcycle learner died in crash with Kia

The 49-year-old motorcycle learner driver died in a crash with a Kia after he went into the wrong lane on a country road, the inquest heard.

Kevin John Mills, a gardener from Witney, was reported dead on Sunday, October 19, with the official ruling putting this down to a road traffic collision.

The crash occurred at 2pm and, after attempts to save his life, he was declared deceased at 2.40pm.

In an inquest, held at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court today (Thursday, April 23), it was explained Mr Mills likely died after his black Honda 125cc motorcycle ‘stood up’ on a bend at the Brize Norton Road near Minster Lovell.

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This means that the bike unexpectedly straightened and continued in a straight line instead of following the curve and this likely happened after he applied the front brake.

Following this he hit a Kia Sorento car and died at the scene of ‘massive trauma’.

Speaking to members of the family who were present, Coroner Nicholas Graham said: “It is clear to me that Kevin was dearly loved and is continually missed.”

Following his death tributes were made by family and friends.

His sister-in-law Heidi Dixon, who lives in Lincoln, said: “You were one of a kind. The most loyal loving person, great husband and dad. You will be sadly missed brother-in-law.”

At the inquest it was explained that Mr Mills was completing a practical assessment with QuickStart Motorcycle Training and was accompanied by qualified instructor Wayne Badby and another learner Jack Possee.

They were riding towards Brize Norton when the incident occurred.

Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court (Image: Oxford Mail)

Mr Badby, who appeared virtually at the inquest, said: “Kevin tried to turn the motorcycle but just appeared to go straight on.

“He then collided with a small black vehicle going the opposite way.”

He added: “I cannot understand how the collision happened. We had been around a similar sweeping bend in Witney with no issues.”

Mr Badby was described by Dave Grover, owner of the company, as one of his best instructors and had been reassessed only seven months prior to the accident.

Kevin Mills sadly died in a crash near Minster Lovell (Image: Kevin Mills)

Though the road has a 50mph speed limit several witnesses confirmed the bikes were going slower, even below 40mph.

Robert Piper, a forensic collision investigator with Thames Valley Police, appeared in person at the inquest.

He said: “From my review of the dashcam evidence, it would appear that the rider has not gone into that bend with a great deal of confidence.”

Mr Piper explained that as Mr Mills navigated the bend, he applied the front brake, and the bike ‘stood up’.

He put this down to “inexperience” and said no party was impacted by drugs or alcohol, and that the bikes were checked and found to be in a good condition.

The B4477 Brize Norton Road where the accident occurred (Image: Google Maps)

The other learner, Mr Possee, who called it a “tragic accident”, said he saw “motorbike parts flying in the air”, while another witness, Susan Bone, described seeing the motorcycle going across the road.

Fiona Shikle, the driver of the Kia, said she was travelling home when the collision occurred.

She said: “I saw a motorbike coming towards me, but it happened so quickly. I tried to swerve towards the verge.”

The motorbike hit her car around the driver-side front headlight, and she said she subsequently had to swerve again to avoid another motorbike.

In his statement, Mr Piper said: “There was very little Ms Shikle could have done to avoid the collision.”