The family of a young motorcyclist killed when his bike most likely slid on some gravel left in the road said they are disappointed at the outcome of his inquest.

An inquest into the death of William Charman from Falmouth last week found that he died when he lost control of his bike on Swanpool Hill on April 28 last year.

His bike fell into the road unseating 22-year-old Mr Charman who then collided with a road sign sustaining catastrophic head injuries. The accident happened at 7.34pm as Will travelled up Swanpool Hill.

The inquest heard that gravel from the path leading to Falmouth Golf Club had washed onto the road and been left there. The inquest heard it was likely that Mr Charman’s bike hit the gravel and lost traction.

Falmouth Packet: Will with his baby cousin ArthurWill with his baby cousin Arthur (Image: Family handout)

The gravel was cleared up after the accident by the golf club which since December last year has been under new ownership.

Coroner Stephen Covell, recorded a verdict of death by road traffic accident following the inquest on April 4.

But the family of Mr Charman, who they described as a “gentle giant”, said they were disappointed with the outcome.

Will’s sister Victoria Charman told the Packet that had the gravel been cleared up immediately then Will would still have been here today.

“We, his family, were very disappointed with the outcome of the inquest,” she said. “We still feel had the gravel not been spread across the road from the public footpath leading from the golf club, this accident would not of happened and our Will would be here now,” she said.

During the inquest on April 4 a statement written by Will’s mum Nicky Charman was partially read out but has provided what she wrote to the Packet.

Falmouth Packet: Flowers were laid at the scene of the accidentFlowers were laid at the scene of the accident (Image: File/Family handout)

In it she described Will as a “real life angel” who was too good for this world.

She said he was born at Treliske on June 2, 2000 and from early on he was a “happy, humble, funny boy, always making everyone smile”.

He went to St Francis C of E primary school and then went on to Penryn college where she said she was a very popular boy and always gave everyone the time of day.

“He had a natural ability to make people laugh without trying and his personality was so magnetic and positive,2 she said. “This is what made him so special, he was so humble and unaware of how amazing he was.”

When Will was 17, he got a four year apprenticeship with Ocean Housing and qualified as a plumbing and gas heating engineer.

During this time, he found his love for bikes and had started off with a scooter from the age of 16. He eventually completed all his advanced motorcycle exams, giving him the ability to ride any bike. “Riding was his absolute passion,” she said. “He was the biggest family man so would always ride with care and caution, never recklessly.”

She said as well as working on his bikes, Will started going to the gym at 17 and grew very passionate about callisthenics and competed in the Body Strong county finals in 2022 and won.

She said he was hoping to compete in the nationals of 2023 but that never happened.

“Will was never a show off, he was just happy doing what he loved,” she said. “He was so humble that he never got round to picking up his Body Strong trophy.”

She said Will’s biggest love was his family, he always put them first and never took their love for granted.

“He was grateful for everything his mum and dad had done for him and he was so proud of his brother and sister’s achievements,” she said. “You could never give Will a compliment, we would always say ‘Will we are so proud of you’ and he would reply ‘That’s because I’ve got the best parents who brought me up right’.

“He worked for everything and was always grateful for everything he got. He was a gentle giant and loved by everyone that knew him.”