A young motorcyclist was speeding prior to running a red light and dying in a collision with a Police van, an inquest has heard.

One eyewitness said Michael Scott (Sprockett) Kozma, 21, was travelling so fast prior to the collision that his bike became airborne as he travelled over a speedbump.

The collision occurred at the junction of Dundonald Street and Cedar Avenue, Pembroke, around 10.30 p.m on April 29 2005.

The driver of the Police Toyota Landcruiser told the inquest on Monday that he was responding to a reported fight in Victoria Street at the time.

P. c Andy Beaupierre said the vehicle's lights and siren were on, and the traffic lights were on green as he proceeded down Cedar Avenue and across Dundonald Street, heading into Hamilton.

He denied suggestions from lawyer Edward Bailey, representing the Kozma family, that he actually ran a red light and ignored the oncoming motorcyclist.

Yesterday, Timothy Boyles, 43, from Warwick, described how he was driving his BMW station wagon east along Dundonald Street towards Cedar Avenue prior to the crash. He had two friends in the car with him.

"As I drove over a speedbump outside of Mount St. Agnes School a motorcycle overtook me on the right hand side of the road at a high speed, also travelling east. The rider actually startled me as he came from nowhere," he said.

"As he rode over the speedbump, which is also a pedestrian crossing, the rider and bike became airborne for a few seconds. The rider managed to maintain control of the cycle and continue travelling eastward at a high rate of speed. I remember he did have the headlights on.

"As the rider approached the junction with Cedar Avenue I noticed the traffic light was clearly visible (as) red for some time. The rider made no attempt to slow down or stop. I did not see any brake lights come on from the cycle. At this time I was the only vehicle on Dundonald Street.

"I observed first the reflection of flashing emergency lights coming from Cedar Avenue. I then saw a blue Police Landcruiser driving through the junction. The Police vehicle was not speeding but at a normal pace. I didn't hear any sirens but we had music playing in the car and we were talking. I saw the rider of the cycle fail to stop at the red light, enter into the junction at high speed and collide into the right side of the Police Landcruiser."

Mr. Boyles concluded by stating: "From what I witnessed, I would have to say the cycle rider was clearly at fault for this accident."

Since the purpose of an inquest is to establish the cause and circumstances of a death rather than to attribute blame, Coroner Juan Wolffe interjected: "I'm going to disregard that last statement."

In a further statement made to the Police, Mr. Boyles clarified that the light was on green as the rider passed his car, but red by the time he went through it. He estimated his own speed to be around 30 KPH.

The Coroner also heard a Police statement from David Burgess of Devonshire, who has died since giving it.

Mr. Burgess, who was 73 at the time, described how he was walking along Cedar Avenue when he noticed the Police van. He said the vehicle had blue lights on but no siren, and was travelling slowly as it entered the intersection with the traffic light on red. He then saw the motorcycle approaching from Dundonald Street at "a fast rate of speed" and hitting the van full-force in the side.

Troy Smith, 26, told the Police he and a group of friends had been at the Robin Hood pub on the night in question, where Mr. Kozma, of Happy Valley Road, Pembroke, was working. After he finished work, the group decided to go bar-hopping along Front Street. However, Mr. Kozma was wearing a tee-shirt and jeans, so he told him he'd have to change his clothes.

"He wanted to go home instead. I kept pleading with him to come with us," said Mr. Smith - who eventually loaned Mr. Kozma his 125cc Honda Scoopy to go home and change. He never saw his friend again, and the Police later called to tell him the bike had been in an accident.

Mr. Kozma died of multiple injuries including serious head injuries around two hours after the collision.

Medical reports stated that he had "insignificant" levels of alcohol in his blood at the time. The inquest has been adjourned until October so traffic experts can come from overseas to give evidence.