Craig Dowson from Hartlepool was behind the wheel of the bike heading southbound on the motorway between Junction 62 at Carrville and Junction 63 at Chester-le-Street on December 22 when the crash took place. Police, fire, ambulance and the air ambulance attended the scene shortly before 4.40pm, but, despite their best efforts to save his life, Craig, 42, passed away at the scene. A woman in her 20s, who was the pillion passenger of the motorcycle, was taken to hospital with serious injuries and the crash saw the road closed overnight. An inquest was today (January 29) opened into Craig's death at Crook Coroners' Court, revealing he died after smashing into a van going in the same direction. The hearing was adjourned by Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield and will next be mentioned on April 13.