Motorcycle Pc crash 'accidental'

Pc Shaw died at the scene of the crash in Bolton

The death of a policeman during a training exercise was accidental, a coroner has ruled.

Allan Shaw, 33, was killed on Crompton Way, Astley Bridge, Bolton, on 19 July 2006 when his motorcycle went over a speed bump and he was thrown off.

Pc Shaw, of Greater Manchester Police, was taking part in a practice session for policing VIP convoys.

Coroner Jennifer Leeming said Mr Shaw's actions and the undulations in the road both played a part in the crash.

Ian Hurst, a local businessman who witnessed the accident, told the inquest at Bolton that Mr Shaw was following two other colleagues on motorbikes.

It has given us some comfort to know that he died doing a job he loved Anne Shaw

He said Mr Shaw lost control of the bike after it left the road and began to fishtail and cartwheel through the air.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the Honda Pan European ST 1300 motorcycle Mr Shaw was riding was no longer used by GMP after advice from the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).

Supt Paul Buchanan, of GMP's professional standards branch, said: "This is a tragic case and GMP would like to extend its condolences to the friends and family of Pc Allan Shaw.

"He was a well-respected officer who will be missed by his colleagues."

'Devoted' father

Mr Shaw's widow, Kerrie Ann, said in a statement that her husband was an experienced motorcyclist who had always sought to be "the best of the best".

She said he was devoted to his four-year-old daughter Lillie-Mae, who was two at the time of the crash.

Pc Shaw's mother, Anne Shaw, added: "He loved the police and he loved bikes and tragically this was something that was to take him from us.

"It has given us some comfort to know that he died doing a job he loved."