Dead Cornish motorcyclist on unroadworthy bike was intoxicated and wore no helmet inquest hears

A teenage motorcyclist who did not wear a helmet died from skull injuries, a Cornwall inquest has heard.

Steven Ham, 17, of Fowey, was found next to his 125cc Kawasaki on 25 March 2006, the day after passing his motorcycle basic training test. Toxicology reports showed he had almost twice the legal level of alcohol in his blood. A police vehicle inspector told the inquest his bike was unroadworthy.

Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The inquest in Bodmin heard that the teenager had been to a pub with friends the night before his body was found in a verge in Fowey. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The inquest heard he was not wearing a helmet and a pathologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital concluded he had died as a result of injuries to his skull.

Toxicology reports showed that he had 150mg of ethanol per 100 ml of blood, nearly double the legal limit of 80mg.

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