A CORONER will explore the death of a motorcyclist and his pillion passenger who were killed after coming off their bike in the centre of Chipping Norton.

Stephen Witham and Cormac Donnelly were thrown from a white Suzuki GS 500 near temporary traffic lights on New Street by the junction of the A361 West Street after being seen ‘overtaking several cars’ on Saturday, September 2.

The bike was being ridden on the A44 from the village of Salford in the direction of Chipping Norton prior to the crash taking place.

Both men died at the scene.

After the crash tributes were paid to Mr Witham, of Chipping Norton, who was well known in the town.

The 63-year-old’s daughter Louise Kemp said at the time that her father’s other daughter, Shenda, had died of cancer just a month earlier.

Speaking at the time, she said: “He lost his daughter, my sister, to cancer exactly a month yesterday. Peace and love to them both. I will miss them forever.”

Mr Witham was a regular at The Fox in Chipping Norton.

Deputy manager Lauren Van Aarle, speaking days after his death, said he was a ‘polite’ and ‘lovely’ guy who had always shown support to the business.

Less is known about Mr Donnelly, 32, of Waterford.

An inquest will be held tomorrow at Oxford Coroner’s Court, County Hall, starting at 11am.