A BRIDGWATER motorcyclist died when a fault on his machine jammed the accelerator on full throttle.

John Bacon, of Somerset Road, lost control of his motorcycle as he was travelling towards Langport on the A372, an inquest heard.

Mr Bacon, aged 50, had taken his Buell 1200cc motorbike for a ride after finishing work on Saturday, May 3.

An accident investigation officer for Avon and Somerset Police, PC Phil Howells, explained to the inquest last Thursday how a locking nut had become loose and caused the throttle to stick as Mr Bacon accelerated along a straight stretch of Langport Road.

Senior East Somerset Coroner Tony Williams said Mr Bacon was an experienced motorcyclist and that the motorbike had been well maintained and kept in good condition.

He said the mechanical defect that caused the throttle to jam would have been almost impossible to pick up on routine maintenance.

The inquest heard that the initial inspection by the crash investigation team could not identify the cause of the accident but was noticed by Mr Bacon’s close friend, Andrew Bailey, following his own inspection of the motorbike.

Recording a verdict of accidental death Mr Williams said: “Due to a mechanical defect Mr Bacon lost control of his motorcycle causing it to leave the road with the throttle jammed in the fully open position, causing Mr Bacon to suffer fatal injuries.”

Following the coroner’s verdict Mr Bacon’s widow, Tracey Bacon told the Mercury: “John has left a huge void and will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.”