A talented bass guitarist was killed in a motorbike crash on a junction “fraught with danger”, an inquest has heard.

Luke Whicher, 19, died after a collision with a Mercedes 4x4 at the junction of the A217 with Northdown Road in Sutton as he rode his Yamaha 125cc home on May 14, 2009.

The Banstead resident was taken to St George’s Hospital, Tooting, suffering from “serious head injuries” and “suspected broken legs and pelvis”.

Despite the valiant attempts of fellow drivers to reassure and comfort Mr Whicher his injuries were so severe that he died in hospital two days later.

Michael Bull, an independent traffic collision investigator, said the junction where the crash happened was “fraught with danger” but conceded there was no evidence to suggest either party was speeding or at fault.

Mr Bull added that Mr Whicher had been thrown across the full width of the road from the impact with the Mercedes and his motorbike was bent into a “banana shape”.

The driver of the Mercedes, King King Tsang, said the first time she saw Mr Whicher was when he struck the front of her vehicle.

A tearful Mrs Tsang said: “I didn’t see any bike at all. My car didn’t move when it was hit but I got out to help straight away.”

At the time of his death Mr Whicher’s grieving mother, Angela Higgs, paid a moving tribute to a popular son who had “the biggest of smiles”.

She said: “Luke was loved by everybody. He was quiet, unassuming and just a lovely, beautiful caring guy. He loved his music and his bike.

“No one ever had a bad word to say about Luke, he was a real credit to his family. We are all so shocked. It is such a waste.”

Mr Whicher had been working evening shifts at Asda while taking a vocational course in guitar making at Merton College.

Coroner Dr Roy Palmer said: “My only conclusion is that Luke died from the injuries sustained in a traffic collision. I record a verdict of accidental death.”