Lorry driver not to blame for death

The driver of an articulated lorry has been cleared of any blame in an accident which caused the death of motorcyclist Stuart Imber, on the M20 at Wrotham.

Sean Henry had dropped one load at Purfleet, Essex, and was travelling to pick up another at Snodland when the trailer of his lorry was struck from behind, an inquest heard. PC Derek Mole said tachograph evidence from the Volvo cab showed the lorry to have been travelling at 52mph and it had not suddenly slowed before the accident on the morning of October 6.

There were no faults on the lorry, its lights had been working and the road was dry. Road cameras showed Mr Imber’s Yamaha accelerating as it approached the back of the trailer. Both vehicles were in the inside lane.

Mr Imber, a 49-year-old electrician, had worked a night-shift at Victoria Station and was on his way home to Hawkinge. It was thought he made a misjudgment as he went to overtake. Coroner Roger Hatch concluded the death was a result of a road traffic accident.