Speed caused motorbike crash in which Royal Marine from North Hykeham died
An elite Royal Marine from North Hykeham was killed on a motorcycle training course because he was travelling too fast when he hit a bend, an inquest heard.
Lance Corporal Ben Tate, 30, of Bakewell Mews, was on a course with another member of the Armed Forces and an instructor when the accident happened in Wales in June 2011.
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Mr Tate, who had served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, suffered injuries which killed him when his bike crashed into a stationary camper van, the inquest heard.
They had been riding on the winding A487 at Pantperthog supervised by PC Keith Young of West Mercia police.
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The hearing, at Llangefni, Anglesey, was told that a stationary camper van was preparing to turn right when L/Cpl Tate began to brake.
But he hit the camper van, was thrown off his bike and collided with an oncoming car.
Had L/Cpl Tate not hit with the oncoming car, the crash would have been survivable the inquest heard.
Coroner Dewi Pritchard- Jones said PC Young had estimated their speed at between 50 and 65mph.
Mr Pritchard-Jones said: "The question is, what speed were they travelling at?
"I'm afraid the evidence does not enable me to make a finding of a particular figure.
"It was a course to improve skills, not necessarily high speed, and the riders were to ride within their comfort zone.
"My belief is that the collision occurred because of speed.
"The speed they were travelling at, although not reckless, was such that the reaction time had to be very short.
"I consider it to be a failure of judgement of the two motorcyclists, not a systems failure, not a failure of the state."
The coroner recorded a narrative verdict on January 29.
After the hearing, Mr Tate's father Alex, a building contractor, said: "Ben was a great lad and we respect and love him.
"This inquest has been a huge emotional strain on the family.
"We're simply glad it's been concluded and gives Ben a chance to rest in peace."
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