Biker crashed and died when 'massive' pheasant flew up and hit him as he took KFC to his wife in hospital

Published: 12:26, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 12:27, 12 August 2026 A biker crashed and died after a 'massive' pheasant flew up and hit him as he rode down the A454 to drop off KFC to his wife in hospital, an inquest has heard. The 'incredibly unlucky tragedy' occurred on March 1 this year when Andrew Davenport, 47, collided with the large bird near Bridgnorth in Shropshire. He lost consciousness before ploughing into a roadside and suffering a head injury. Police, paramedics and an air ambulance helicopter attended the scene but Mr Davenport could not be saved. The biker, from Pattingham in Staffordshire, was pronounced dead at 1.28pm after being given advanced life support. Shropshire Coroner's Court today heard Mr Davenport, a bodybuilder, DJ and businessman, had waved to a couple on a motorbike shortly before the collision. The couple, who had just been to watch a rugby match, described his riding as 'calm, steady and competent'. The inquest heard a 'massive' pheasant then flew up and hit Mr Davenport on his left hand side. The 'incredibly unlucky tragedy' struck on March 1 this year when Andrew Davenport (pictured), 47, collided with the large bird near Bridgnorth in Shropshire The inquest heard a 'massive' pheasant then flew up and hit Mr Davenport on his left hand side. A stock image of a male pheasant is seen here One witness described an 'explosion of feathers' and said they believed Mr Davenport was knocked unconscious by the impact as he went 'floppy' over the handlebars. Mr Davenport then collided with the road sign. A pathologist gave his cause of death as 'head injury'. The hearing was told there were no drugs or alcohol in his system, visibility was good and there were no adverse road conditions. John Ellery, senior coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said the impact with the road sign, not the pheasant, caused Mr Davenport's fatal head injury. He added: 'He was driving as described. The manner of his riding did not play any part in what happened. 'There are two incredibly unlucky things that have happened to Andy. 'Firstly, the pheasant and losing consciousness, then colliding with the road sign. It was that which killed him.' Mr Ellery recorded a conclusion of death as a result of a road traffic collision. After the hearing, his wife Aine said: 'He was loud, always the centre of attention. 'He was full of wisdom. He was a really beautiful man.' Aine said she met her husband on the Plenty of Fish dating website, and was won over by his 'beautiful blue eyes and muscles'. Mr Davenport was a popular house DJ who had played in Ibiza, and an entrepreneur who ran events including the Crooked House Festival in Lichfield, Staffordshire, and a rave at Shrewsbury Prison. He also was manager of the bar 55 Wade Street in Lichfield. His mother Linda Osborne added: 'In his short life he did an awful lot. He achieved amazing things.' And his father Mark said: 'He lived life to the full.' Mr Davenport also had success in bodybuilding, once winning the Mr Midlands first timer award and also had a masters in business. Aine said he was interested in motorbikes and supercars and owned a Lamborghini, Porsches and Ferraris. Around 400 people attended Mr Davenport's funeral at Telford Crematorium on April 17.