MOTORISTS who ran over a stricken biker who had collided with a pedestrian didn’t stop to help, an inquest heard.
More than 500 vehicles passed the scene of the A40 accident last September beside the Daff Y Nant services in Whitchurch before a lorry driver finally stopped to lend assistance, Herefordshire Coroners Court heard.
Assistant coroner Ronald Wooderson was told that one or more vehicles actually ran over 29-year-old Walford father-of-one Robert Boyd after he was thrown towards the central reservation, but left the scene without stopping.
Pedestrian Thomas Wheeler, who was originally from Newent and ran the 187 Tattoo Parlour beside the services, died of multiple injuries when he was struck by the speeding red Yamaha motorbike doing 80-88mph as he crossed the A40 westbound dual carriageway shortly before 8pm on September 27.
Police said there was a “long time between the crash and an HGV driver” calling emergency services, the inquest heard.
Although conditions were dry and there were no defects on the bike, Mr Boyd’s crash helmet had a heavily tinted visor which would have worsened his vision in the dark, the court heard.
Mr Wooderson ruled that both men died from multiple injuries caused by a road traffic collision.
In a tribute to Mr Boyd, who worked at Timpsons in Ross-on-Wye, his family said after the crash: "Rob had one of the kindest hearts going. He was always willing to help anyone out and had so much love and admiration for his son.
"He had a passion for music and motorbikes and will always be remembered for his laid back and warm nature.
"Rob always left a mark wherever he went and we’re all devastated from the news and it still hasn’t quite sunk in yet."
Mr Wheeler, who was married with a child, had previously run the Rainforest Exotics reptile store in Ross-on-Wye.
Tributes to the passionate eco-campaigner were left on the 187 Tattoo Facebook page.
One said: "You had big dreams and wanting to save the ocean all that plastic and rubbish, such a good heart, missed by many loved by all."