A DECORATED soldier was killed after doing a wheelie through traffic lights on his motorbike.

Royal Marines Colour Sergeant Philip Milburn, 38, died instantaneously after coming off the Triumph Daytona and crashing into a car coming in the opposite direction.

He died at the junction of Rochester Road with Darlington Lane, in Stockton, 500 yards from his home, and just west of the A1027 Inner Stockton Ring Road junction with Darlington Lane and Dumbarton Avenue, which witnesses said he crossed at speed.

Crash reconstruction expert PC Paul Hunter, of Cleveland Police, told an inquest: "The motorcycle was ridden on the rear wheel only as it travelled into Darlington Lane.

"This manoeuvre rendered the Triumph motorcycle unstable - instability which increased when the front wheel contacted the road surface.

"The loss of control of the motorcycle was due to driver error and was the cause of this tragic collision.''

Motorist Morgan Dovaston told Cleveland Police that as the bike approached him "it was shaking violently from side to side".

"The driver looked as though he was being thrown off," he said.

Witnesses Kathleen McKay and Jean Johnson said Sgt Milburn had been constantly revving his engine as he waited for the traffic lights to change to green, before "taking off'' at high speed across the junction, with his front wheel in the air.

Another witness, Paul Welsh, a security manager, told Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield: "My exact thoughts were that he was going to kill himself because of the speed the motorbike was travelling.''

PC Hunter said the women's account of Sgt Milburn performing a wheelie was consistent with marks on the road.

Sgt Milburn, a senior driving instructor with the Royal Marines, was one of the first marines to land on Iraqi soil in a feint seaborne attack to distract Republican Guard elements as Coalition tanks moved up from Kuwait, during the first Gulf War.

He leaves Karen, his wife of 19 years, and children Rebecca, 15, Rachel, 13 and Alex, 11, and his father, Brian.

Sgt Milburn completed his training course to get into the marines despite two broken ankles.

Major Gary Jones, of the Royal Marines said: "He was a well respected officer and will be sadly missed."