THE inquest into the death of a motorcyclist who died in a head-on crash on a Hampshire road will be heard this week.
Michael Smith was travelling through the New Forest when he collided with a van on the A35 between Ashurst and Lyndhurst last year.
At the time officers said they believed that the 50-year-old had lost control of his Yamaha 550 and collided with a silver Mercedes Vito van that was travelling in the opposite direction.
Mr Smith, who lived in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight, was one of three motorcyclists who died on Hampshire’s roads over a ten-day period last July.
His brother Richard Smith said: “Mike would help anyone with anything and would always do it willingly.
He would work flat out all day for a thank you.
“He will always be loved, remembered and sadly missed by his parents and surviving siblings, his partner Dee and all who were lucky enough to know him.
“Ride free my brother.”
Southampton Coroner’s Court will investigate his death, on July 2, at an inquest to be held on Thursday.
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