The families of two bikers who died in a head-on collision near Masham have paid tributes at a joint inquest into their deaths, which concluded today.
Paramedics certified Martin Ragg, who was from the Ripon area, and Michael ‘Mick’ Lynas, who was from the Thirsk area, dead at the scene of the collision on the A1608 on Sunday, April 25 in 2021.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff submitted written evidence and questioned a collision investigator from North Yorkshire Police at the inquest.
The inquest heard how the crash happened at a blind summit close to the Brymor Ice Cream parlour and that Mr Ragg had been attempting to overtake a car before he moved one and a half metres into the oncoming lane before the crash.
Both men died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Mr Longstaff said:
“The point of an inquest is not to apportion blame but to determine the facts which lead up to the deaths.
“On the balance of probabilities the collision happened in the northbound carriageway and Mr Ragg was on the wrong side of the road.
“What strikes me is, from listening to what both families have said, that these two men would have got on quite well and become good friends if they had ever met.
“I hope it is some comfort to know that they both died instantly while doing something they loved.”
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Tina Lynas, who was the wife of Mick Lynas, said:
“Mick was passionate about motorcycles — in fact, much to the shock of my mum, he picked me up for our first date on a motorcycle. He was a great rider and never a risk taker.
“He collected motorcycles and at the time of his passing he had 13 in his possession. On the day of the crash he went out with his daughter Eve on a separate bike to meet his friends in Masham. He was then going to see family in Middlesbrough.
“I was just getting to leave to meet him there when I took a call from Eve. Mick’s passing has left a huge hole in our hearts. He was a loving man, full of life. He was community driven and would do anything for anyone.”
‘Lives shattered in an instant’
Jayne Ragg, who was the wife of Martin Ragg, said:
“Our lives were shattered in an instant. Martin often left early for his trips and did not want to wake me up when he headed out. So I didn’t even get to say goodbye to him.
“He had a fantastic sense of humour and he was a larger-than-life character who loved his family with all his heart.
“We have raised more than £7,000 for Brake, a road safety charity, and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We also sent £2,000 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance separately.”
