LORNA MARSH A budding young graphic designer died after he inexplicably rode his motorbike through a red light smashing into a turning car, an inquest heard yesterday.

LORNA MARSH

A budding young graphic designer died after he inexplicably rode his motorbike through a red light smashing into a turning car, an inquest heard yesterday.

The family of 24-year-old David Thorpe spoke of their loss for the first time at the inquest into his death, to pay tribute to a popular “dearly-loved son, a talented musician and a keen motorcyclist”.

Mr Thorpe, from Spixworth, near Norwich, died on May 24, at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge following the road accident which took place 9am at the junction of Barkers Lane and North Walsham Road in Norwich six days earlier while he was on his way to work.

More than 300 family members and friends, including his parents Colin and Linda, 20-year-old sister Natalie and girlfriend Chloe, attended a service to celebrate his life at Horsham St Faiths Church shortly after his death.

He attended Sprowston High School before going on to Norwich School of Art and Design and played football for Spixworth Youth team as well as being a member of Spixworth Scout Group, obtaining the bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Mr Thorpe worked for Creative Sponge in Norwich as a junior designer and was also involved in the local band scene, playing bass guitar for the bands Kidicarus then Sale On Tomorrow at pubs like the Ferry Boat and The Marquee.

A total of £1,200 was collected in his memory for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, who had attended to him on the day of the collision, and Addenbrooke's Neurological Critical Care Unit.

After his death Mr Thorpe donated his kidneys, heart valves, tissues and skin as well as his heart and lungs for research.

Mrs Thorpe said: “It has given his family much comfort to think that he has helped so many people, but it is very hard to come to terms with losing a much-loved son and brother who was so talented.”

Recording a verdict of accidental death and offering his sympathy to his family Norwich coroner William Armstrong said he was satisfied Mr Thorpe was known to be a responsible rider and that the accident was an “unfortunate aberration”. He added that the driver of the car he collided with bore no blame whatsoever.