A FATHER-of-two power bike champion was killed by his speed in a 140mph racing tragedy only five weeks after his wedding.
Stephen Hix was married to the love of his life Michelle at All Saints Church, Holbeach in June – where his funeral was held six weeks later.
The dedicated family man was killed after taking the lead in the last race in a North Yorkshire motor cycle race meeting – which he was attending with his new bride.
Tragedy struck at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough at the end of the Cock of the North event as Stephen reached speeds of up to 140mph on his Suzuki GSXR.
Fellow competitor Gareth Evans told the inquest he was travelling immediately behind Mr Hix (38)as they went into the third lap of the six lap race into the jumps.
He continued: “He went over the last rise and the bike twisted in the air a little bit and got into a snake – a tank slapper.”
The inquest was told Mr Hix would have had less than a second to regain control of his machine – which was impossible due to its speed.
He was still gripping the handlebars as it started to veer towards a hawthorn hedge when he decided to try to leap to safety.
Mr Evans added: “He let go of the handle bars, put his hands over his chest, and twisted away.”
Mr Hix hurtled into the bushes and shrubs where he suffered multiple injuries.
At first, it was not realised Mr Hix was fatally injured because other riders had crashed at the same spot and survived.
But as race marshals swarmed onto to the track to stop the race the horrible truth emerged.
Widow Michelle sobbed throughout the inquest and broke down in tears after North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Family friend David Daws, who was best man at Steve’s wedding, said after the hearing: “Michelle is very upset.
“This process has brought it all back but it also closes this chapter.”
Michelle, who works in sales, and Steve, a transport manager, from Wignalsgate, Holbeach, had two children Bradley (12), and daughter Saskia (7).
Mr Daws, a solicitor, added: “They had been together for a number of years. She is taking baby steps at the moment – taking it one day at a time. “