A HAMPSHIRE coroner has called for tougher sanctions at motocross events after a teenager died in Winchester.

An inquest heard how Bradley Hooper, a 16-year-old from Farnham, was killed when he came off his bike at the Tony Moto track near Headbourne Worthy and was hit by another rider on May 11, 2014.

He was later pronounced dead after being air lifted to Southampton General Hospital.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, senior coroner for central Hampshire, Grahame Short, recommended a review of the Motocross Federation's (MCF) code of conduct regarding the briefing given to safety marshals prior to any events.

He also said that the current marshalling rules of Portsmouth Motocross Club - which hired and ran the track when Bradley was hit - needed to be assessed.

His warnings came after evidence emerged that marshals were able to have their mobile phones with them during practice and race sessions.

The hearing was told that "collision was inevitable" when Bradley - a motocross enthusiast since the age of six - died soon after he was landed on by another rider, who had been given no warning Bradley had come off his bike.

The other rider, also 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said riding conditions "were perfect" but there was nothing he could do when he saw Bradley half-stood in the centre of the track, as he was on his way down from jump 11, known as the “table top”, having gone at it at “maximum throttle”.

He was driving a Yamaha 250 when he landed on Bradley’s chest, right where he was expecting to land, he told the hearing.

“The first thing I tried to do, I was trying to pull myself and the bike out of the way,” he said. “Once you’re airborne, there’s not much you can do. I tried as best as I could.”

He told the hearing he sustained two compression fractures to his spine and was knocked unconscious as a result of the impact.

Mr Short asked him if “collision was inevitable”.

“Yes,” the teenager responded.

Chief marshal, Anita Sanders, broke down briefly when she described performing CPR on Bradley.

She said: “I knew something was really wrong. His groans and his moans were not really consistent with someone with basic injuries. [The paramedic’s] words to me were ‘he’s arrested’ so I started chest compressions until I was told to stop. [The medics] were doing everything they possibly could to try and keep him alive.”

Described as a "competent and cautious" rider, Bradley had turned out with his family for the Sunday track day when he was critically injured during the practice session.

The consultant histopathologist, Dr Vipul Foria, told the hearing Bradley died from a severe tear in his right lung. He also tore other organs and sustained several fractured ribs.

His grandfather Clifford Duffell said: "Me and my son ran over and Bradley was on the ground. Somebody had moved his bike off the track. I saw Bradley moving about and I thought he was alright. I said 'I'll take the bike back to the van and I'll come back'. I was expecting the boys to walk round the corner with perhaps a few bruises but he never appeared. Then I realised it was much more serious than I thought."

Mr Short said: "The death of any 16-year-old is highly emotional and I know it's very difficult for his family in these circumstances. It's caused great distress to his family and others."