A speeding motorcyclist high on ecstasy died after

A speeding motorcyclist high on ecstasy died after losing control of his 1000cc racing bike, an inquest was told.

Marcus Boyce, 23, shot over his handlebars as he hit his brakes to avoid a cab driver ahead of him reversing into his path.

Mr Boyce suffered a fractured skull after his head hit the kerb and his body skidded along (West) Norwood High Street at about 1.

30am.

Witnesses estimated he was travelling at up to 70 mph on April 2 this year.

He only had a provisional driving license, which would not have entitled him to ride the high-powered Yamaha R1 machine.

Mark Boyce said his son, who lived at (5) Worthington House, Upper Tulse Hill, south London, had been riding bikes for six years.

He was not aware
his son used drugs.

Zac Amarteifio, a friend of the deceased, said Mr Boyce believed someone had tried to steal his bike from outside his home.

The two men, with Mr Amarteifio following in a car, were driving to a lock up to put the bike in safekeeping.

Mr Amarteifio said he arrived only a few minutes behind his friend and saw his body lying on a zebra crossing on the High Street.

A bus driver, George Forbes, said he saw the motorbike whizz past him at between 60 and 70mph.

Sobbing members of Mr Boyce’s family saw CCTV footage taken seconds before the crash.

Jacqueline Rutherford, who lives on the High Street said she heard the roar of a motorcycle and then a loud bang at around 1.

30 in the morning.

Kevin McKenzie, a cab company manager, did not appear to give evidence, but said that he heard the sound of a motorbike engine as he backed out of Ernest Avenue on to the main road.

‘I saw it wobble and fall over.

It happened in a few seconds.

It wasn’t as if the rider was struggling with his bike.

I could see no reason why he fell
off.

‘

Police evidence showed that Mr Boyce’s bike skidded along the road at a minimum of 52mph before it came to a stop.

Police sergeant Terence Robins explained why Mr Boyce’s crash helmet was found some distance away from the body.

‘The impact was so violent it was a case of him hitting the kerb causing it to come off.

Quite considerable damage was done to the crash helmet.

‘

Comparing it to a bicycle, sergeant Robins said:

‘If you brake too hard on the front brake, you go over the top, and I think that’s what happened.

‘

Sergeant Robins said Mr Boyce was not qualified to ride the bike, as he only had a provisional license.

However, he noted many professional motorbike racers are also not qualified to drive motorbikes on the public roads, but are obviously still proficient
at doing so.

Sgt Robins added that Mr McKenzie’s manouvre of reversing onto a main road was ‘not recommended’ by the Highway Code.

Pathologist Dr Vesna Djurovic said Mr Boyce tested positive for MDMA, the scientific abbreviation for Ecstasy ‘consistent with a recreational level’.

cannabis and cocaine were also detected.

*
Deputy Coroner Dr Adela Williams said: ‘It seems likely that he saw Mr McKenzie and before he reached him, he lost control of the motorcycle.

‘

Verdict: Accidental death.

ends