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.”

Sim Rezazadeh-Wilson has succeeded her husband, Tug Wilson, in the role and will now serve as the senior non-commissioned officer at the base.

In her new post, she will uphold discipline, standards and ethos at the RAF’s largest station in West Oxfordshire.

WO Tug Wilson, who held the role since 2023, said: “I have fulfilled a career and life ambition by having the honour and privilege to be the Station Warrant Officer at the largest RAF station.

“Some amazing memories, working alongside the brilliant workforce of RAF Brize Norton.”

WO Rezazadeh-Wilson brings more than 20 years of experience to the role and will focus on maintaining high standards and supporting personnel welfare and development.

She said: “Having served at RAF Brize Norton since 2002, I have witnessed first-hand how the station has evolved over time.

“RAF Brize Norton is not only my workplace but also my home, and I am immensely proud and truly honoured to be taking on such a high-profile role.”

The handover marks a unique moment for the station, with the role passing between a husband-and-wife team.

Station commander group captain Louise Henton said: “The Station Warrant Officer plays a pivotal role in setting standards and representing the voice of our people.

“I would like to thank WO Tug Wilson for his outstanding service and dedication to all those who work at Brize Norton and warmly welcome WO Sim Rezazadeh-Wilson into the role.”

Thames Valley Roads Policing stopped a vehicle in Basingstoke Road in Reading for a single brake light.

Checks found the driver was an uninsured learner with no L-plates. Further more, he was using an already expired provisional licence following a previous ban.

Driver stopped for faulty brake light found to be a banned, uninsured learner with £60 worth of cannabis (Image: Thames VAlley Police)

A positive drug swipe for cannabis led PC Payne to search the car.

He found three bags of cannabis, located in the driver’s door pocket, which was purchased just minutes before being stopped.

Driver stopped for faulty brake light found to be a banned, uninsured learner with £60 worth of cannabis (Image: Thames Valley Police)

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The driver said they had wasted the £60 they had just spent on the cannabis and asked if they could have it back.

They were arrested, vehicle and drugs seized and a blood sample taken with results pending.