Tragedy as 'brilliant' son, 19, died after combine harvester crash

A teenage motorcyclist died from multiple injuries after colliding with a combine harvester on a country road, an inquest has heard. Harry Abbey, 19, was travelling on Hollins Lane in Warrington shortly before midday on July 21 last year when he hit the brakes suddenly, causing him to lose control of his Yamaha bike.

He came off his vehicle and into the path of an oncoming combine harvester. Mr Abbey, from Warrington, was pronounced dead at the scene, Warrington Coroner's Court was told yesterday (April 20).

The collision occurred as a tractor - which was towing a trailer - was escorting the large combine harvester around a bend near Watery Lane at 11.54am. The hearing was told that a blue Ford Fiesta, which was travelling in front of Mr Abbey, had braked "sharply" as the combine harvester came into view.

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Mr Abbey - whose mum Beverley and dad Andrew were at the court, along with his three siblings - also then braked, resulting in him losing control of his bike. The inquest also heard that it was likely the driver of the combine harvester had "insufficient time to avoid the collision."

In a statement, which was read out by the assistant coroner for Cheshire, Jean Harkin, Mr Abbey's mum said he was "resilient, strong and had a good sense of humour." She described their loss as "the saddest day for the family", and the "most traumatic experience I've ever gone through".

In a further tribute made during the hearing, an emotional Mrs Abbey said: "Harry was our youngest child - the baby of the family. I'm conscious not to idolise Harry in death but it's hard not to.

"I don't know the reasons for his choices that day and