An inquest on 16-year-old Benjamin Cooper heard that the apprentice joiner had been riding at night without headlights or a registration plate when he was followed by a marked police car.
Benjamin, of Doulton Street, Moston, crashed into the side of a Ford Galaxy on Lightbowne Road.
Insp Paul Rowe, of Greater Manchester Police's traffic unit, said: "He was the author of his own misfortune. He rode a powerful machine and had no insurance and no licence. He didn't stop despite having plenty of opportunities to do so."
A jury of four men and four women returned a verdict of accidental death.
A post-mortem examination showed he died from head and chest injuries.
Lisa Cooper, the dead boy's mother, said he had always had an interest in motorcycles: "Even when he was young he was always reading motorcycle magazines and watching it on television."
Mrs Cooper told deputy coroner Graham Jackson that she knew Benjamin shared a scooter with three friends but she knew nothing about the trials bike he was riding when he crashed.
Ownership of the bike has never been established.
Patrol
Pc Mark Bateson said that he was on patrol in a marked Volvo police car in St Mary's Road, Moston, at 7pm when he saw the trials bike and a moped.
He said both bikes were then driven onto some parkland as if they were trying to avoid him. Pc Bateson said he noticed the moped had its lights on and was displaying registration plates, but the trials bike was not. As he could not follow them onto the parkland, he drove off and did not expect to see them again.
But when he saw both bikes travelling towards Charlestown Road minutes later he drove to within yards of them. The moped pulled up, but the trials bike kept going.
Pc Bateson said as they approached the Gardeners' Arms roundabout the trials bike went onto the wrong side of the road, through the traffic lights on red and took the roundabout on the wrong side before turning off onto Lightbowne Road.
The officer said he went through the lights on red but much slower than the bike. He said he went through the roundabout the correct way.
By the time he entered Lightbowne Road he estimated the trials bike was about 300-yards in front of him.
Pc Bateson said by then he did not expect to see the bike again but kept his lights and sirens on to alert other drivers. When he arrived at the junction with Nuthurst Road he saw the motorcycle and the rider on the ground and called for an ambulance. Tweet
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Rest In Peice MATE!!! You will forever be missed!!!
r i p mate u will be forever missed and loved
God looked around his Garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed you tired eyes,
He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.
When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain,
We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.
You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home nat xxxxxx
As a regular user of Lightbowne Road, Nuthurst Road & the roundabout at the Gardner's which is tricky enough to negotiate without someone going around it the wrong way, I thank Pc Bateson for the vigilance he demonstrated in following these bikes. What we must not forget is that lots of law abiding drivers use this busy road which is also in a highly populated residential area. I myself drive this route often with my wife & 3 teenage children to visit their grand parents in Moston so I'm extremely grateful that the police take the illegal riding of these machines seriously because I & other legal road users could easily be involved in an accident with one of these machines through no fault of our own or our innocent law abiding passengers.
i think the police are to blame as well as the boy because the police were putting the boy under pressure
rest in peace mate, you are dearly loved n missed, see ya soonxxxx
Hi,
Was it a Trials bike or a Trail Bike or a Motorcross Bike. The Difference is Huge,
Following Motorcycles is frought with difficulty.
Neither Trials or Motorcross Machines machines are normaly fitted with road tyre. Thus the inquest may be either misinformed. Trials Bikes are usually fitted with Square Block Pattern Tyres run at 4 psi for jumping rocks and logs, where speed is not an issue. Thus these machines are not capable of outrunning anything as the top speed is only about 35mph.
Motorcross Machines give next to no grip on tarmac on the front and only grip when driving the rear.
Trail Bikes on the otherhand come fitted with general on/off road tyres that give some grip on either surface, but limited. Good sliding experience is necessary to ride these machines fast in variable conditions.
Perhaps the paper could check and give a response?
Chris , Sydney, Australia
Steve, Australia. What do we care ? He & it won't be bothering us anymore, thank god.
I never dreamed of losing you perhaps that,s what is wrong you were always a part of me that would go on and on thats why my grieving never ends however hard i try god knows I LOVE YOU far too much to ever say goodbye so in gods care you rest above but in my heart you rest with love. godbless you BEN till we meet again Love Always x x x x x x x x
Alan what do you no? all i can say is that i hope that nothing like this never happens to somebody that you love you heartless man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's a young man in heaven, so presious and so rare, he is my friend BEN the best beyond compare, call his name out softly lord and when he looks your way tell him that i miss him and think of him every day, they say that heart's dont really break, dear god that isnt true, for the day you took me friend away you broke my heart in too! Missing You Always Mate!! R.I.P xxxxxx
I Heard the Preacher at the
service Say you'd gone home to heaven to meet your maker on God's way Your trials on earth were over, But I didn't hear him mention if Heavens good enough for you He claimed you'll feel no more sorrow, set you free from all lifes fears But can the blessed on Gods mountain, love you more than me down here? I was raised not to question promises the bible makes But how could the Almighty make such a terrible MISTAKE If there's really no more teardrops and the streets are paved with gold Send me down some reassurance, I don't believe what I've been told If there really is a kingdom where you start your life anew Won't you please somehow convince me that Heavens good enough for you!!! LOADS OF LOVE HUGS N KISSES X X X X X X X X X
Stories like this are tragic, but what do people expect when youngsters irresponsibly ride around? As a cyclist I am aware how invisible the likes of me can be without lights or in the dark and I've had hassle from youths buzzing around on bikes without wearing helmets.
People understandably weep for this young man, but would they effectively chide the likes of him for irresponsibilty which could injure or cripple a dog, child or pensioner? What responsiblity do youngsters have n o t to get injured so that they do not bring distress to their family and friends and can play a more selfless role in society in the future.
yes big ben what you been up to mate hope you are not gettin into trouble mate. i wish it was all a dream and a woke up seeing you sleeping in your bed and its not a dream but i think about you every day in my life mate. ben i fell like a half of me was taken away from me when you was taken away from us mate. dont worry iam looking after mum and dad and leila for you and kilo your dog love you loads ben lots of love your little brother jamie cooper
i never had met him and i sorry what happend i know jamie cooper he is safe
ben was a top mate and he always chered you up when you was down rest in peace mate
i am sorry what happend rest in peace martin
RIP my best cousin, miss u loads,so does everyone else.You are loved and missed by everyone u know.Luv u millions and millions,luv your cousin mia mc
i love you ben and i will see you when i get up there. I bet nanna is looking after you isnt she,you look after her aswell,love you millions Maccadoodle
R.I.P x x x x x
YES BIG BEN WOT U UP TO MATE HOPE U ARE CHILLIN OUT BRO TELL NANNA I SAID HELLO AND GRANDAD MATE HOPE YOU ARE NOT IN TROUBLE MATE COZ IAM NOT BECOZ ANTHONY GREENWOOD AND EVO AND ANDY HUNT WILL KICK MY ARS I NO YOU ARE LOOKING DOWN ON US MATE LOVE YOU 4 EVER AND ALWAYS JAMES COOPER LITTLE BROTHER X X X X X X REST IN PEACE MATEX X X X X X X X X X X XX X X X X XX X X X XX
To the worlds best cousin,
I miss u Benjin very much,
You gave my life a specail touch
You did get angry and you did get mad,
But when u were gone,
I was nothing but sad,
Now that you've left,
I feel there's nothing more,
A peice of my heart,
I felt i was torn,
I went to see you,
I really did try,
But i knew this would be,our last goodbye,
I saw your angel,
She opened my eyes,
Even since then,
I'm not afraid to cry,
I carry your angel,here by my side,
it is in her,that i can confide,
I know one day,we'll be together,
I will long for that day,
Forever and ever!
Lots of love Maccadoodle.
x x x x x x x x x RIP x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
I love you ben,
i miss u very much,i hope u are having a great time in heaven. lots of love
from
Breeze.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I met Ben in primary school and he always had a cheekiness about him that put him in everyones heart. i swear ben you are a much loved guy and not one day has gone past that i personally have not thought about you. towards the end of your life we didnt spend that much time together it must have been fate that brought us together the day you died. I remember wen we started high school and you said to me "you were the cleverest girl in primary school, you knew what the capital of scotland is!". It was a shame God took you when he did and it brings me comfort knowing that your safe finally and that one sweet day ill see you again. like the song says i know your shining down on me from heaven. shining like the star you always were and the guys who is missed from the bottom of my heart. I love you and miss u very much, love an old friend, Roxanne xxx
WHY R THE GOOD PEOPLE ALWAYS TOOK AWAY FROM US, BEN WAS A GOOD LAD THERES NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT HIM. DON'T WORRY WE WILL LOOK AFTER THE PEOPLE THAT MEANT SOMETHIN TO U
MISS YA LOADS XXXXXXXXX
RIP BEN
yes ben 2 years on sunday mate and i wish it wasnt we r all still missing you today tomorrow and forever. hope ur looking after renni for us see u soon up there love u forever and always love u jamie cooper xxx
I left manchester some years ago but still read the papers.
I used to very close to the Cooper family and was very upset to here of the accident. The family is very loving and close,losing ben must have been tragic experiance.
I wish to send all my love to Lisa,David,jamie.
Hope to see you soon and i will always be thinking of Ben.
Love Unky Jonny.