Police Officer Killed in Crash on First Day Back From Sick Leave, Inquest Hears
A veteran police officer described as “well-liked” by colleagues died in a motorcycle crash on his first day back at work after a period of sick leave, an inquest has heard.
PC Mathew Parker, 43, was responding to an emergency on the A12 near Chelmsford in November when he crashed into a central barrier. He died from a traumatic head injury.
Parker, who was based with the Chigwell Roads Policing Unit, had been off duty from Essex Police since 15 October. He returned to work on the morning of the crash for the first time in weeks.
Area coroner Michelle Brown told the inquest at Essex Coroner's Court that Parker's long-term absence “had no significance” on the collision. Procedures had been followed to ensure he was fit to return to duty.
According to witness statements, Parker had reached speeds of 96 mph (154 km/h) and was overtaking a vehicle southbound between Margaretting and Ingatestone when he “simply lost control.” Bodycam footage from his helmet showed the moment his “bike starts to wobble and fishtail,” Brown said.
The coroner noted that Parker was legally permitted to exceed the 70 mph speed limit because he was responding to an emergency. However, a report conducted by PC Jason Howard found the road surface to be “damp” and “greasy,” though the tarmac itself was in reasonable repair.
Brown confirmed there was no criminal investigation into whether anyone else was at fault. The death was treated as a tragic accident.
“I know a lot of his colleagues at Essex Police were extremely traumatised,” Brown said. “It appears he was a very well-liked colleague.”
In a statement released a week after his death, Parker's family described him as “a man of strong values and a generous heart.” He had served in west Essex for 25 years, and his loss has been deeply felt across the force.
The case has also renewed attention on the risks faced by police motorcycle officers, who often navigate high-speed scenarios in challenging conditions. Experts say even a brief return to duty after a period of absence can carry heightened risks, though in this instance no systemic failures were identified.