'He was just a lovely normal guy who loved his family': Pal's tribute to motorcyclist who died on country road

A long-time friend has paid a glowing tribute to a 46-year-old dad and football coach who died after losing control of his motorcycle on a country road in Scotland. An inquest heard how Ben Speakman came off his BMW bike after overtaking a car before braking for a left-hand bend on the A816 near Kilmartin, south of Oban on September 20 last year.

The bike hit the crash barrier and Ben was thrown to the ground and he sustained 'unsurvivable' chest injuries. The father-of-two, of Ennerdale Drive, Bury, was with 19 other motorbikers enjoying a week's holiday in Scotland when tragedy struck.

Assistant coroner for Greater Manchester North Matthew Cox, sitting at Rochdale, heard told how Bury-born Ben had held a motorbike licence for 16 years and used his machine daily to commute to work.

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Mr Cox concluded that Ben died as a result of a road traffic collision. Shortly the accident a tribute appeared on the website of Prestwich Marauders Football Club, where Ben had been a coach.

It said: "It was with deep sorrow that we learned of the untimely death of Ben Speakman this week. Ben, who was a manager with us for several seasons, sadly lost his life in a tragic motorcycle accident, just outside Argyle in Scotland."

Ben was part of a group of 20 bikers on a week's holiday, when the accident occurred. "Ben was only 46 and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sarah, his sons Isaac and Kian, also his parents Maria and John."

Chairman of the Marauders Chris Abbott said he and Ben had been long-term friends. "His lad (Isaac) was keen on playing football and he just wanted to coach