A 20-year-old Barton motorcyclist will be remembered as “a popular kid with a heart of gold and missed by many.”
A balloon release and ride-out was held after the tragic death of Liam Wong on March 7, 2023. An inquest at Grimsby Town Hall this week heard how he died in a single motorcycle collision at Horkstow, in North Lincolnshire after spending time with his father, Richard and his grandparents.
Humberside Police closed roads following the tragic incident around 4.30pm, including the A1077 South Ferriby with the B1204, Horkstow Road with the B1204, and Saxby Hill with the B1204.
Those who knew him described him as being “helpful” and “kind-hearted” with his death leaving them lost for words. Some people spoke about his love for the skate park when he was younger and how well-mannered he was.
A GoFundMe was set up in his memory with friend Lauren Finney describing Liam as a “popular kid, with a heart of gold and will be missed by so many.” A friend said after the tragedy: “Liam was a kind person who could never hurt a soul.
“He would do anything for anybody and he’ll be a big loss to everybody who knew him. He also absolutely loved his bikes.” He added: “His death has left us all absolutely heartbroken.” A ride out was organised in Barton along with a balloon release.
Senior coroner for Greater Lincolnshire, Paul Smith told how a post mortem examination showed the young father-of-one died instantly from multiple traumatic injuries when the Kawasaki ZX-6R collided with a brick wall and pillar on Main Street, Horkstow.
(Image: Humberside Police)
Mr Smith said a contributory factor was the excessive level of alcohol in his system which was three times the legal drink drive limit. His grandmother told the hearing Liam was with his father, Richard, at their home in Saxby All Saints before setting off on his father’s powerful Kawasaki. The inquest was told Liam had a licence to ride motorcycles but had not yet passed his test to ride more powerful motorcycles like his dad’s Kawasaki.
Horkstow resident, Andrew Day said he was shocked when he heard the “sound like a massive explosion” as the motorcycle collided with his reinforced brick wall and pillar at around 4.30pm on March 7, 2023. He told how he got a fire extinguisher in case the motorcycle caught fire. “It was carnage,” he said in a statement read at the inquest.
A motorist described how he saw the Kawasaki travelling slowly but was then surprised when it overtook him at speed. “It was erratic, as if he was testing it,” he said.
Forensic collision investigator for Humberside Police, PC Bhupinder Sood told how there were tracks on a verge close to the scene of the fatal collision, which showed the Kawasaki went in a straight line without braking or emergency braking.
He said there was a slight bend shortly before the collision site. The rider’s helmet strap was still fastened indicating he was wearing it at the time. He said the motorcyclist was riding a Kawasaki 600cc , which was twice the power of motorcycles he was licensed to ride.
PC Sood said: “There was evidence it was being driven above the speed limit.” He added: “In his intoxicated state he has not had sufficient time to correct himself as he went around the bend.”
The investigator said: “He had no previous experience of riding more powerful bikes. Mr Wong was travelling at speed well in excess of the speed limit.”
The coroner concluded a combination of the rider’s youth, speed, inexperience and level of alcohol had led to him “paying the ultimate price.” He passed his condolences on to the relatives of the young rider after concluding the death was as a result of a road traffic collision.