BY IAN ROSS

YOUNG motorcyclist Jonathan Burke was almost four times over the legal alcohol limit when his bike was involved in a fatal road accident.

An inquest this week heard how the 18-year-old had been drinking at a party with friends on the night of the England-Germany Euro 2000 match.

He drove his Suzuki 125cc machine into Congleton to buy petrol, but the bike left the road and mounted the pavement.

His helmet flew off after hitting the doorstep to a house, and his head smashed into the next doorstep down.

The bike skidded down the pavement before slamming into a lampost and bouncing off into the road.

The accident happened on a Saturday night last June in Canal Road, Congleton, on the eve of the youngster's 19th birthday.

Dr Janet Napier, assistant deputy coroner for Cheshire, returned a verdict of accidental death into the death of the teenager, from Cambourne Close, Congleton.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be multiple injuries.

Jonathan suffered a fractured skull, extensive brain injuries and ruptured heart, as well as a fractured thigh and jaw.

A blood sample showed 304 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, the legal limit being 80.

Police investigating the accident found the youngster's motorcycle helmet strap was not fastened.

Dr Napier described the accident as a "tragic case of a young man with all of his life in front of him."

"He was a very competent driver, although he drank more alcohol than was desirable, and was four times over the limit," she said.

"In going round a left hand bend the bike went out of control and hit the kerb. He seems to have died instantaneously.

"It's a tremendous tragedy for a life to be snuffed out in this way."

Jonathan's father Philip Burke said his son had arranged with a friend who owned a garage in Canal Road to take his bike, which was getting rusty, into storage.

That was why he was on his bike that night, and was going on to a party afterwards.

Daniel Chandler said he and a friend were walking up Canal Road to a get-together of friends after a night out in Congleton watching the England - Germany match.

He saw Jonathan at the party, who had been drinking and was 'in high spirits'.

Jonathan said he was going on his bike to get some petrol, although Daniel said he was not in a fit state to drive because he appeared to be drunk.

Jonathan wobbled as he set off, he added, and accelerated hard towards the town centre.

A few minutes later he was told Jonathan had come off his bike, and ran down to find him lying on the pavement.