A BIKER was over the drink-drive limit when he lost control and died following a crash near Didcot, an inquest heard yesterday.

Sebastian Grootz, 28, of Ouse Close, Didcot, died in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, of multiple injuries after his motorbike crashed into a telegraph pole in Milton Road on September 23 last year.

An inquest into his death at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court yesterday heard Mr Grootz, pictured, had a blood alcohol level of 108mg – over the 80mg limit.

Oxfordshire’s assistant coroner Nicolas Graham gave a verdict of accidental death at County Hall.

Collision investigator Terry Anderson told the inquest two factors that contributed to his death – his handlebars moving and the alcohol in his blood. There was no evidence he was speeding.

In a statement motorist Jill Wilkinson said Mr Grootz overtook her on his blue Suzuki heading towards Didcot before appearing to lose control.

Mr Grootz, a warehouse worker, was a former pupil at St Birinus School in Mereland Road.