Man dies following scooter crash in Victoria

On Wednesday, Westminster Coroner's Court heard that a black cab driver, Darren Salmon, had noticed Mr Delamain riding his scooter very close to the side of the road before the accident, on April 6.

Mr Salmon told the hearing: "He almost fell into the bollards and the next thing I knew, I saw sparks and debris coming off the bike.

"I saw something spinning off away from the bike. It resembled a crash helmet but I could not be sure."

PC Adrian Cousins, who investigated the crash, added that the helmet had been found several metres behind where Mr Delamain landed, with the buckle still secured.

He said: "The straps of the helmet were quite loose, so it could have come off over the chin when he hit the bollard.

"Most scooter riders position themselves close to the kerb to keep out of the way of traffic, as they can only reach top speeds of around 30mph.

"It seems to have been just a lapse in concentration."

The cab driver called an ambulance, but Mr Delamain was confirmed dead at the scene with injuries including a fractured skull.

Deputy coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe revealed Mr Delamain had drunk the equivalent of four or five glasses of wine before getting on his scooter that evening.

She said: "It could have been a momentary lapse of concentration which motorists are capable of at any time.

"We don't know why it happened, whether there could have been some medical event which has suddenly made him lose consciousness or if the raised level of alcohol contributed.

"He was only 48 years of age. A simple thing has caused the death of a man so young, fit and healthy."

Mr Delamain's family lived in Gloucester, but he stayed several nights a week at a Kensington flat for work purposes.

Dr Radcliffe recorded a verdict of accidental death.