A MAN died after riding his motocross bike ‘recklessly’ in woodland near a Southampton estate, an inquest heard.

Kane Morgan, 22, of Cherwell Crescent, Millbrook, lost control of his KTM bike in Lordswood, near Lordshill, before hitting a tree stump and hurtling over the handlebars into a tree nearly 20 feet away.

Paramedics attempted to treat Mr Morgan, but he was pronounced dead at the scene after he suffered massive internal bleeding.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Morgan was with friends in an area of woodlands off Matheson Road, Lordswood, known as ‘The Figure of Eight’ on April 14 when he decided to go riding.

A toxicology report showed Mr Morgan was 1.6 times the drink-drive limit when a postmortem exam was carried out. The report also found evidence of cocaine in his system, and cannabis, which pathologist Dr Hayley Burnley, of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, believed had been taken some time ago.

Giving evidence, Reece Bennett, 24, from Southampton, said: “He had told me he had been drinking the night before and had taken an eighth of cocaine.

“Kane was popping wheelies and doing skids, he was driving recklessly; we all thought ‘he’s going to hurt himself in a minute’. We shouted at him to slow down.

“I was approximately 20 metres away when he hit a dip and started a speed wobble.”

Mr Bennett said: “He was struggling to regain control when he hit a tree stump.”

Mr Bennett performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but medics were unable to save Mr Morgan.

Coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Morgan’s grandfather Andrew Morgan, whom he had lived with since the age of 13, said: “Kane was a free spirit. He had a passion for motorbikes, it was his pride and joy.

“Kane died doing what he loved.”

Speaking outside court, Mr Morgan’s family also called for an area to be set up for where young people can ride motocross bikes safely.

The woodland area is jointly managed by Forestry Commission, Test Valley Borough Council and Southampton City Council.

A spokesman for Test Valley Borough Council said: “Motocross is an extreme sport that requires the use of dedicated enclosed off-road circuits.

"Unfortunately in Test Valley we do not have appropriate land or facilities.”

A spokesman for Southampton City Council added: “Southampton City Council does not own an area of land that is suitable to accommodate a specific space for motocross bike riders to use.

A Forestry Commission spokesperson said: “The terms of our lease restrict what activities are permitted at Lordswood and wouldn’t allow us to create an area for motocross riders.”