Mystery remains of how biker father of eight died
Kevin Almond’s eight children will never know what caused their father to die.
An inquest into the 55-yearold’s death on Tuesday concluded he died because of a road traffic accident but could not determine the cause.
The popular Cub Scout leader, roller hockey coach, beekeeper, business owner, morris dancer, charity fundraiser and hairdresser died on the Ashford Road in Hollingbourne after losing control of his motorbike on the approach to the M20 roundabout at junction 8.
A post mortem examination found Mr Almond, from Herne Bay, died of head injuries.
Speaking at Maidstone’s County Hall hearing, investigating officers PC David Burley and PC Oliver Jones told assistant coroner Kate Thomas they do not know what caused Mr Almond to fall off his bike.
A skid mark was found on the approach to the roundabout, sug- gesting he hit at least one of the bike’s two brakes.
Evidence led the investigating officers to believe Mr Almond’s bike went into a highside. This is when the back of the bike begins to rotate to the front because of a loss of traction.
Once the brake is released traction is suddenly restored, creating a large force that flips the rider head first off the bike. What caused this is unclear. There is no evidence Mr Almond, a biker with over 20 years experience, hit a kerb or another vehicle.
Weather conditions were good and there were no faults on the road.
He was wearing the correct protective gear, his 750cc Yamaha XPS Midnight Star was well maintained and he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
No one witnessed the accident and he was not speeding.
PC Burley said: “I can’t answer what caused him to brake.
“It’s not the case that he was driving dangerously. He may have seen an animal ahead.
“Those sorts of things I can’t answer, I can only guess at.”