AN inquest into the death of a Kendal rider whose motorcycle was in collision with an oncoming car on the A66 has been opened and suspended amid a police probe into the incident.

Cumbria Constabulary confirmed last week that Christopher James Graveson, aged 28, died at the scene of a crash on Saturday, April 20. This occurred at around 1.30pm on the A66 between Keswick and Penrith in the area of a junction for Mungrisdale close to Lisco Farm.

An inquest into Mr Graveson’s death was formally opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court on Tuesday morning. 

This task was performed by Robert Cohen, one of His Majesty’s coroners for the area of Cumbria.

Mr Cohen noted the collision had involved an eastbound orange Triumph Daytona 675 ridden by Mr Graveson and a Skoda Yeti car which had been travelling westbound.

A statement from a PC who responded to reports of a collision confirmed that the stretch of road was served by a 60mph limit with a single westbound lane and one eastbound lane with an additional climbing lane.

“Mr Graveson had been in a convoy with four other motorcycles,” said the police constable’s statement.

He had been pronounced dead at the scene by a HEMS (helicopter emergency medical service) doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Identification had been confirmed by the police officer with assistance from two males at the scene who stated that they knew Mr Graveson.

Mr Cohen said during the inquest opening: “The reported circumstances include the fact that Mr Graveson’s death is the subject of an investigation by Cumbria Constabulary.”

As a result, Mr Cohen said he was suspending the coronial investigation into Mr Graveson’s death.

A Cumbria police spokesman had said in a statement last Monday: “Officers would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or the moments leading up to it — as well as anyone with information which may assist.
“You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it quoting 82 of 20 April 2024.”

The spokesman added: “We would like to thank everyone who assisted officers at the scene.”