A FATHER-OF-THREE died after a motorcycle crash on a ‘dangerous road’ in Ashley Heath. 

Ashley James Long, 32, was on his way to visit his girlfriend in Sturminster Newton when he was involved in a fatal crash.

His mother, Linda Cannon, told Dorset Coroner’s Court on October 15 that Ashley was a “great father” with an “amazing sense of humour”.

“Family was important to him,” she said.

“He was the best son any mother could ask for and I miss him dearly.”

Ashley lived in Brighton with his family and worked as a labourer at the time of his death, often using his motorcycle to travel for work.

The court heard he would visit his partner every other weekend and was familiar with the route.

However, on February 23 at around 5.20pm emergency services were called to Horton Road after reports of a crash between a black Kawaski and a Vauxhall Grandland.

PC Burt told the court in a statement that as pedestrian traffic lights turned from red to green, Ashley overtook traffic and narrowly missed oncoming vehicles.

The driver of the Vauxhall signalled to turn right into the One Stop but as Ashley returned to the correct side of the carriageway, he hit the car and was unseated from his motorbike.

David Sharma, the driver of the Vauxhall, told the court that he was driving to a nearby caravan park but decided to stop at the shop for groceries.

He described hearing an explosion and did not know what had happened.

Matthew Young, a HGV driver, said the Vauxhall began to turn right however, Ashley’s motorcycle did not see the car due to the angle.

Ashley struck the front of the car and came off his motorbike, causing fatal head injuries.

A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Stolte found his cause of death to be multiple head injuries due to a road traffic collision.

Area coroner for Dorset, Brendan Allen, concluded Ashley died as a result of a road traffic collision.

Residents of Ashley Heath have previously campaigned for new safety measures on the road, with some calling it dangerous and unsafe.