by Keyan Milanian

kmilanian@thekmgroup.co.uk

An inquest has heard how three motorcyclists who died while on a European tour in Italy were driving on the wrong side of the road.

Wendy Pointer, 60, from John Street, Rochester, Colin Morrish, 62, from High Street, Rochester, and Michael Vercoe, 67, from Hever Avenue, West Kingsdown, died when the two bikes the three were travelling on were in collision with a lorry.

Mr Vercoe’s wife, Fay, who was riding pillion with her husband, was seriously injured in the crash in Trento and spoke as a witness.

The daughters of both Miss Pointer and Mr Morrish were also at the inquest but did not speak.

The inquest heard that Mr Morrish, who was leading a group of motorcyclists, pulled into a lane on the opposite side of the road to overtake a car and Mr Vercoe had followed on his bike.

But as the two motorcycles made the manoeuvre a lorry travelling in the opposite direction came round a bend and hit the two motorcycles head on.

Mrs Vercoe said both riders were 'very careful, responsible drivers’ and added: “The way he was riding I am sure he thought he was riding dual carriageway."

The coroner, Roger Sykes, said: “In this case there is no suggestion at all that the riding was reckless or dangerous. Each of the three deaths was as a result of multiple injuries and each death was accidental.

“All I can add is my deepest condolences in these most tragic of circumstances I have heard this afternoon.”

For full story see Monday's Medway Messenger