An inquest has heard that the cause of a crash which killed a 'much-loved and well-respected' former serviceman on the M60 remains unknown. Andrew Peak, 58, was riding his motorbike on the anticlockwise carriageway between Stockport and Tameside at around 1.30pm on July 12 last year when he was seen to 'veer away and leave the carriageway.'
The motorway was closed as emergency services, including the air ambulance, attended the scene between junctions 25 and 24. Mr Peak suffered 'devastating' injuries and was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where he died two days later.
The inquest at South Manchester Coroner's Court in Stockport heard that Mr Peak, from Droylsden, joined the army at 17 and served four years in the Queen's Fusiliers. He later worked as a pest control manager for Manchester City Council, where colleagues retired his desk after his death.
His son George Peak said his father had a lifelong passion for motorbikes and bought a new Triumph bike after the death of his second wife Dawn in 2024, which 'deeply affected him.' George described his father as 'the best dad ever' and said the family had struggled with the loss.
DC Simon Venguedasalon of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the weather was 'lovely, bright and sunny' with perfect riding conditions. No other vehicles were involved, and no faults were found with the bike. CCTV showed Mr Peak in the outside lane before he was lost from sight, but his speed could not be calculated.
Area Coroner Chris Morris recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision, stating that despite a detailed investigation, no single cause for the loss of control could be identified. He said it was 'a deeply tragic accident which may have been caused by something as simple as a momentary lapse of concentration.'
