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Callous bike thief ignored dead rider
Holly Lloyd-McDonald
27apr05
A THIEF who stole a motorbike involved in a fatal accident would have walked past the dead rider's body to steal it, a policeman said.
Chris Cowton, 21, from Morwell died riding his Yamaha WR250 early last Saturday. It is believed he failed to stop at an intersection on Jumbuk Rd, about 2km south of Yinnar, near Churchill in the state's southeast.
Mr Cowton hit a gutter and was propelled from the bike, which continued along Monash Way and into a paddock. A resident told police they noticed the bike in the paddock about 7am.
Mr Cowton's body was found in the ditch eight hours later. When police arrived the bike was gone.
Sgt Peter Allan from Churchill police said the bike was stolen from the paddock before 10am.
Sgt Allan said the thief could not have missed Mr Cowton's body, which was only metres away.
"To get to the bike, the person who stole it had to open the gate and would not have missed his body laying there," he said.
Sgt Allan said the bike would have extensive damage.
Mr Cowton was an award-winning footballer for Morwell East in the Mid Gippsland Football League.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Churchill police on 5122 1790.