This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/6944814.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Motorway opens after biker murder Murdered biker was shot in head
(about 5 hours later)
Detectives investigating a murder on the M40 motorway have said biker gangs are a "strong line of inquiry". A biker who was killed as he rode along the M40 in Warwickshire died from a single bullet to the back of his head.
The motorway has reopened after police carried out searches near where a motorcyclist was shot dead on Sunday. The motorcyclist, thought to be in his 30s and from the south of England, had been at a nearby biker rally on Sunday.
The man, who was in his 30s, died on the southbound carriageway near Leamington Spa in Warwickshire. Police said biker gangs were a line of inquiry but there were no reports of incidents at the Bulldog Bash.
Police said the biker had been shot in the head and they want to trace the occupants of a green Rover 620 seen near the scene of the shooting. But police said the rally may have been used to track down the victim. The M40 near Leamington Spa was closed for more than 24 hours following the murder.
A post-mortem examination on Monday found he died of a single gunshot to the back of the head. It was fully reopened on Monday afternoon.
Police said they believed the man came from the south of England. The motorcyclist, who died on the southbound carriageway between junctions 13 and 12, is thought to have been a member of the Hell's Angels.
The northbound and southbound carriageways of the motorway were reopened on Monday afternoon after being shut since the incident happened at about 1420 BST on Sunday. Det Supt Ken Lawrence, from Warwickshire Police, said: "We are not aware of any incidents at the Bulldog Bash event which could be directly linked to the death.
About 50 specialist officers had been conducting a fingertip search of the scene. "But the event gathers huge numbers of people from across Europe, and if someone was seeking revenge, the event would be a good place to find someone."
The man, who died between junctions 13 and 12, is thought to have attended the Bulldog Bash, billed as Europe's top biker party, held at Long Marston airfield near Stratford. class="" href="/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/6944093.stm">Biker event 'Europe's biggest' class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6944876.stm">History of the Hell's Angels
Witnesses saw car Detectives want to speak to the driver and occupants of a green Rover 620, which was seen travelling south on the M40 close to a group of motorcyclists around the time of the incident.
A post-mortem examination is to be carried out on the man's body later on Monday. Detectives are keen to hear from any motorists travelling on the A46 near junction 15 on Sunday afternoon who may have seen the green Rover.
Police have said they do not believe it was a road rage attack. The biker, who was travelling with two Polish friends, is thought to have joined the M40 from the A46 at junction 15 after leaving the Bulldog Bash at Long Marston near Stratford, Warwickshire.
The shooting is similar to an incident in 2001 when a Canadian man, who had spent the weekend at the Bulldog Bash, was shot in the leg as he rode his motorbike down the M40 towards London. The motorway, which was closed from Sunday afternoon until Monday afternoon, has been searched and police are watching CCTV footage from cameras monitoring the road.
About 400 vehicles were trapped at the crime scene (pic Ben East) Mr Lawrence said police were examining a similar shooting involving bikers from the Bulldog Bash six years ago.
Det Supt Ken Lawrence, of Warwickshire Police, said officers wanted to speak to people travelling in the Rover 620 who may have been linked to Sunday's shooting. "There are similarities but that doesn't mean necessarily that they are linked," he said.
"One or two witness accounts have mentioned this car being close to the motorcycles at the time something clearly happened," he said. In that incident, three bikers were shot at on the M40 as they returned from the Bulldog Bash, but were not killed.
"It is for that reason I want to trace that car and speak to the occupants."
He said detectives were not aware of any disputes at the Bulldog Bash which could be linked to the shooting.
He added: "If there were any, we are anxious to find out what they were and what they were about."
The incident caused 10 mile (16km) tailbacks in both directions with about 400 cars caught within the crime scene. They were all allowed off the motorway by Sunday night.
Paul Roberts, from Worthing, was driving along the M40 when the incident happened.
He said: "Suddenly we had to stop... soon other motorists were out of their cars and on the carriageway.
"One lady in a BMW took a first aid kit to the man who was lying on his front just next to the central reservation."
Police are appealing for any motorists travelling on the M40 who may have witnessed the incident to contact them.
Are you involved in biker clubs? What are your experiences of them? Send us your thoughts using the form below. Your comments will not be published without your consent. The BBC may like to follow up your comments but all information will be treated in strictest confidence.Are you involved in biker clubs? What are your experiences of them? Send us your thoughts using the form below. Your comments will not be published without your consent. The BBC may like to follow up your comments but all information will be treated in strictest confidence.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
NameName