A CORONER will today examine the final moments of an internationally renowned Southampton spinal surgeon who was killed in a motorbike crash.

The inquest into the death of Nick Boeree, a consultant at Southampton General Hospital and Nuffield Health Wessex Hospital, is due to take place on Thursday at Southampton Coroners Court.

Mr Boeree, a married dad-of-three was killed when his Yamaha FJR motorbike collided with a lorry in the New Forest on March 21.

The crash happened on a sharp bend on the A337 Brockenhurst to Lymington road about half-a-mile south of the level crossing at Brockenhurst station.

The 32-year-old driver of the Volvo lorry, from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, was unhurt in the crash.

The Daily Echo reported how colleagues from both hospitals struggled to come to terms with the news and dozens of tributes were paid to the 53-year-old “highly respected” surgeon who had saved and improved the lives of many.

As well as his work in Southampton, Mr Boeree was the lead consultant at the Spine Clinic, based at Nuffield Health Wessex Hospital in Chandler's Ford, leading a team of spinal specialists to manage and investigate a range of spinal disorders.

He trained in medicine at The Royal London Hospital and underwent his orthopaedic training at Bristol and Southampton. He also spent time training at some of the world's leading spinal centres in the United States.

His professional achievements include being the principal developer of an implant, now widely used around the world in spinal surgery.

Outside of his work, Mr Boeree, of Portmore, was passionate about motorcycles and enjoyed astronomy.

Following the crash there were calls for the speed limit to be reduced on that stretch of road. Hampshire County Council since revealed the speed limit could be reduced from 50mph to 40mph or even 30mph.