THE death of a 17-year-old St Mary Cray boy, who died after crashing a stolen motorcycle in Orpington, has been ruled accidental.

Dean Pennial, of Elizabeth Way, died on April 30 last year after the bike he was riding hit a wall and then a tree in Bournewood Road, Orpington.

South London Coroner Dr Roy Palmer told Croydon Coroner's Court: "In the early hours of the morning, just after 3.30, Dean was travelling along Bournewood Road, Orpington, on a motorbike.

"At one point control was lost and he was propelled into a wall first and then a tree.

"He was taken to Lewisham and then King's College Hospital, where he died of severe head and chest injuries."

The motorbike, a Honda Hornet, had been stolen from an address in Orpington that night, the inquest heard.

George Turner, of Berens Road, Orpington, also 17 at the time, was on the motorbike with Dean when the accident happened.

His evidence was read out in court.

He said: "I was making my way home at around 3.15 in the morning.

"The motorbike drew up behind me, it was Dean. Dean said to me 'get on the bike'.

"I thought it was probably stolen, didn't ask where he got it and didn't know where it came from.

"We were not going very fast.

"It was as we made our way into Broomhill Road that I don't remember. I don't remember the crash or what happened afterwards."

Police Constable Matthew McCormack, collision investigator, added: "The bike hit the tree at a relatively low speed but injuries would have been compounded by the impact of the passenger behind.

"I am not in any doubt that Dean was driving the motorbike."

Dr Palmer said: "I conclude that this was death by accident.

"I am afraid that motorbikes and young men are not a good mix."

In October last year George Turner pleaded guilty to taking or being carried on a Honda Hornet without consent, which subsequently caused the death of another person.

He was given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and required to do 200 hours of unpaid work.