HUNTINGDON, England (AP) — Liam Roper suffered catastrophic injuries when his blue Yamaha motorbike slammed into the rear of a white Mercedes Sprinter van on the A47 highway near the Eye Green roundabout, a coroner’s inquest determined Wednesday at Lawrence Court in Huntingdon.

Coroner Caroline Jones opened the hearing by extending condolences to Roper’s family, a large group that included his aunt Karrie Roper and an uncle. The post-mortem examination revealed multiple injuries to his spleen, a substantial hemorrhage in his left lung, cuts and bruises on his right lung, and a traumatic head injury. Those wounds triggered significant blood loss and shock, the report stated.

Cambridgeshire Police were called to the scene at 1:15 p.m. on July 5. According to a police statement read in court, the van was approaching the roundabout amid slowing traffic when Roper, riding behind it while wearing a helmet and protective gear, collided with the rear for reasons unknown. He separated from the bike and crossed into the opposite lane.

One witness described watching Roper fly off the motorbike, his helmet dislodging on impact. Four bystanders rushed to aid him before summoning the East of England Ambulance Service. Paramedics airlifted him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, but he suffered cardiac arrest en route.

Doctors pronounced Roper dead at 4:08 p.m. in the hospital’s critical care unit. Coroner Jones closed the inquest by again offering sympathies to his family and friends over the loss.

Roper, remembered fondly by relatives, left behind a young child. His aunt Karrie Roper shared a tribute last year, calling him full of energy who never stopped laughing or cracking jokes. ‘He would always come in from work and tell me the gossip,’ she said. ‘He loved travelling and going out with his mates. His friends meant a lot to him and were friends for life. He also loved his food, he had a big appetite.’

The hearing shed no further light on why Roper failed to slow in time, though police continue to investigate the collision. No charges have been announced against the van driver.