Alcohol 'behind fatal bike crash'

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A County Antrim man who died in a motorcycle crash after the 2007 North West 200 was over the legal drink-drive limit, an inquest has heard.

Trevor Connor, 39, from Ballymoney and his girlfriend Sadie McClarty, 36, were killed instantly when the bike crashed into stationary cars.

The accident happened between Coleraine and Portstewart on 12 May 2007.

A toxicology report found that Mr Connor was three-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit.

The inquest into their deaths was held at Ballymena Courthouse.

It heard how the results showed Mr Connor's blood alcohol levels would have produced a "considerable degree of intoxication".

Tests carried out by the deputy state pathologist showed Mr Connor's blood to have 281mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, while a urine sample contained 341mg per 100ml.

Mr Leckey described the readings as "quite staggering".

'Excess alcohol'

Both Miss McClarty, a factory worker from Stuart Park, Ballymoney and Mr Connor, a painter and decorator who lived at Cloneen Drive, also in the town, were pronounced dead at the scene.

They each had four children.

Coroner John Leckey said that if excess alcohol was not the sole reason for the collision, it was "certainly the principal one".

"One doesn't have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that," he said.

"The levels (of alcohol) found in Mr Connor were really staggeringly high.

"They were three-and-a-half times the limit for driving and I think that explains a lot.

"His ability to ride safely would have been very seriously impaired indeed.

"Anyone in control of a car or a motorcycle with that level of alcohol was a disaster waiting to happen.

"It is a dreadful tragedy for both families and I would wish to extend my very deep sympathy."

The cause of death was recorded as multiple injuries as a result of a motor vehicle collision.