Biker, 30, killed in crash was a ‘beautiful soul’
A caring and passionate 30-year-old motorbike enthusiast tragically died after losing control of a new bike on a sharp bend while driving along his favourite route. Caterer Jack Currant, who became well-known in Okehampton[1] after setting up The Currant Bun Catering Truck, suffered unsurvivable injuries following the crash on March 20, 2022, on the A39 between Bideford[2] and Clovelly.
An inquest into his death was held today, May 2, at Exeter[3] Coroner’s Court. A heartfelt tribute was read out, written by Jack’s mum Janette in which she described him as a ‘beautiful soul’ with a love of travelling, football and motorbikes.
She told how Jack, who was born in Luton, had lived in Ireland before moving to Devon and settling in Okehampton.
She said: “Family and friends meant the world to him, as he did to them. He was everybody’s friend and would do anything for anyone. He was full of fun and laughter and always had a smile on his face.” She continued: “He was full of hopes and dreams and fulfilled some of them.”
Janette recalled how he bought a burger van during the pandemic which is still running today in his honour, but his main passion from his early teens had been motorbikes. The inquest heard he bought a new Yahama R6 the day before he died and had been riding it in the fatal crash.
She described Jack as a ‘very experienced motorcyclist’ and paying further tribute to him, she said: “He was such a positive person. He was a shining light and I will remember him as that as it helps me deal with him being gone.”
She concluded: “Jack’s life was to be lived and he lived it to the full.”
The inquest heard on the day of the crash, Jack had been riding with a friend he met in Okehampton at around 10am. The friend told in a statement that they had stopped off in Torrington for a break and refreshments and had been travelling on the A39 to go to Bude.
He told how he had initially been leading but Jack had later overtaken him and he had briefly lost sight of him until coming up to the crash scene and was shocked to see Jack’s bike in the hedge.