Inquest: Motorbike tragedy of dad Adrian Dowell

ADORING father Adrian Dowell died in a tragic motorbike accident, an inquest into his death heard yesterday.

The 38-year-old experienced rider from Brockworth, was a dad to four young children. He died on February 29 as he was on his way to work at Hourglass Seal double glazing.

He was just minutes from his home, in Brookfield Road, when he overtook a car, in Hurricane Way, on his powerful Kawasaki 750 motorbike.

The hearing heard witnesses saw his bike accelerate before it braked heavily and skidded into the side of a car turning into a car park. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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His wife Lucy told the hearing Adrian normally waited for herself and the children – three daughters and a son – to wave goodbye when he went to work for his evening shift. But on the day of his death, he left a little early and did not do so, simply shouting "goodbye". "He was a very careful rider," she said. "He knew every pothole and manhole cover in that road because he used it every day."

Their children had been badly affected by his death, she said, and the impact on her life was beyond words.

Accident investigation specialist PC Simon Edwards told the hearing at Gloucestershire Coroner's Court that Mr Dowell's speed had been calculated at 91 miles an hour just before the accident, using CCTV camera footage.

The accuracy of this calculation was questioned by representatives for Mrs Dowell, but the inquest heard that, whatever the exact speed, he had been riding at well over the speed limit.

And he said that if the speed had been 40 or 50 miles an hour, there would have been time for Mr Dowell to avoid the accident.

PC Edwards said he believed that the motorbike had not been visible when the driver of the Ford Focus involved, John Ashworth, started his turn into the car park of the Wincanton Logistics company.

Gloucestershire Deputy Coroner David Dooley recorded verdict of accidental death.

Mr Dowell, who was described as a gentle giant who was also a practical joker in tributes after his death, also left behind his mum and dad, four sisters and a brother.