Dad killed after pulling wheelie was on 'last ride' before selling motorbike

A young dad was killed after he lost control of his motorbike while performing a 'wheelie' on his 'last ride'.

Anthony Draper agreed to sell his KTM bike to another man just moments before he crashed into a concrete gate post near to his home in Tyldesley. The 29-year-old suffered multiple fatal injuries and died at the scene in Rutland Road on April 18.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court yesterday (Thursday) heard that Mr Draper had invited two men to his home to view the bike that evening. After one of the men agreed to buy it, Mr Draper told him: "I'll have one last go."

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The inquest heard Mr Draper then climbed on the bike without a helmet or protective clothing and rode off up the street. After turning the bike around, witnesses recalled seeing Mr Draper 'pull a wheelie' before losing control and smashing into a concrete gate post outside a house.

Friends performed first aid on Mr Draper but he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

In a statement read out in court, Jennifer Draper said 'words cannot describe how the family feel' following her son's death. "You never imagine someone is going to die at the age of 29," she added.

Ms Draper told the hearing that her son had an 'obsession' with motorbikes and had ridden them since a young age.

Adam Brownhill said he and his friend, Mark, had visited Mr Draper's home at about 10pm on April 18 to view an orange KTM bike he was selling. He said Mr Draper informed them he was selling the bike as he had fallen off it six months earlier and broken his leg.

After checking the bike by riding it up and down the street, Mr Brownhill said his friend decided to buy it. After