THE 20-year-old motorcyclist who died following a crash on Wilderspool Causeway was travelling at more than 80mph before his death.

Athanasios Petras, known as Nassi, died from multiple injuries on January 8 after colliding with a HGV, an inquest has heard.

During the hearing at Warrington Coroners' Court on Thursday, Tracy Petras described her son as a 'beautiful boy' who had been 'just a bit silly'.

In a joint statement released after his death, his family said: "Nassi was such a beautiful son, brother, family member, friend and work colleague.

"He was kind-hearted, generous, would help anyone and was loved by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.

"He will be forever missed and always in our hearts."

Warrington Guardian:

Derek Teesdale, who was driving the HGV on January 8, told the court how he had been leaving Causeway Avenue and turned onto Wilderspool Causeway at about 3.30pm after delivering goods.

He said: "I got to the main road. The car on my right stopped. The bus lane was empty.

"I got half way out, looked to check the trailer and heard an almighty bang."

He explained how he got out of the vehicle to find onlookers had already called the emergency services and reassured him that it was not his fault.

PC Kevin Sweeney, a forensic collision investigator analysed the scene, CCTV footage and witness accounts to piece together the incident.

He concluded that Nassi was travelling at 88mph on his Yamaha motorcycle while riding down Wilderspool Causeway, had performed a wheelie and overtaken several vehicles.

The court heard that Nassi applied the front brake when he was 70 metres away from the HGV and would have hit it while still travelling at more than 50mph.

Peter Sigee, assistant coroner for Cheshire, concluded that Nassi had died as a result of injuries obtained in a road traffic collision.