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Obituary. 12/29/2005

I just received news that a fellow biker has passed away in a road accident.

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News items from here and here.

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Biker dies on ride in honour of mate

29Dec05

WHEN Darren ‘Boky’ Bokenham was killed in a motorbike accident at Mount Nathan this week, he had one of his best mates with him.

The 33-year-old rider from Sydney had a picture of friend Ben Manton taped to the windscreen of his bike when it crashed on Tuesday.

Mr Manton died in a bike crash in NSW just weeks ago.

The picture was stuck to Mr Bokenham’s motorcycle as a tribute to the experienced rider.

Sergeant Garth Crank, from the Gold Coast accident investigation squad, said it was a tragic coincidence and a timely reminder to take care on the roads.

“It was a tragedy of huge proportions,” he said.

“We found the picture stuck to the side of his windscreen and thought he might have been on a personal memorial ride.”

Sgt Crank said Mr Bokenham was the leader of a group of eight people who were on a joyride through the Hinterland.

The former soldier was travelling on Clagiraba Road when he lost control on an S-bend and was thrown on to an oncoming car. He died at the scene.

“By the time the second rider came around the bend, the man (Mr Bokenham) was already off his bike,” said Sgt Crank.

Fellow rider Chris Cootes, who was travelling behind Mr Bokenham, said his friend was an experienced motorcyclist.

“He had been riding for 15 years and was a very well respected, trained and experienced rider,” he said.

“He was an extremely safe rider. Both he and I have shared many kilometres.”

Mr Cootes said they had been out for a holiday spin with bike enthusiasts from around the country when the Mount Nathan incident occurred.

“(After the ride) Darren was to return to his family in Warwick and then head back to Sydney,” he said.

“Darren will be sorely missed. He was in good spirits. We had had a great day and were looking forward to having a drink and a chat when we got home.

“Darren passed away quickly and was surrounded with his friends doing their best for him.

“Rest in peace, Darren.”

Sgt Crank said it was the third major accident and the second fatality involving motorcyclists on the Gold Coast in the past three weeks.

I first met Boky on IRC way back in 1998. He was a rider with much experience, and a well respected and liked member of aus.motorcycles, a newsgroup I frequent. We have chatted together many times, and there was always that promise of “we’ll meet up for a ride and a drink one day.” Now it will never happen.

Ride in peace Boky.

How much more bad news can I take?

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