THE family of a soldier who died in a collision on a Cypriot army base say they feel let down by the decision not to prosecute anyone for his death.

Colour Sergeant Anthony Mark Oxley died hours after his Suzuki motorbike collided with an American soldier’s Toyota Corolla at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus on June 14 2016.

An inquest on the 40-year-old, held yesterday (Thursday) at Wakefield Coroner’s Court, was told witnesses to the collision did not see the driver, who was not named, indicate or slow down when attempting to turn right before it ‘blocked off’ Mr Oxley’s path.

However, no criminal charges were brought against the man, after investigations were started by the British Army and completed by Commander Neil Whelden, of the US Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations.

Mark’s wife Sally, of Station Road, Ryhill, said: “I often went to the scene of the collision afterwards as I was, and still am, consumed by the need to find out how he died and what went wrong. It’s been a long and frustrating battle and all I want is for justice to be served.

“I can’t move forward until that’s achieved. We are heartbroken and completely devastated as the US authorities have given little information to us. At first we were told the driver had no passenger, but we now know there was one, and we still believe something is not quite right.”

Mr Oxley, who was a drum major in the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, was airlifted to hospital in Nicosia after the crash but died hours later having sustained serious head, neck and leg injuries. He was buried at Felkirk St Peter’s Church, near Shafton, with full military honours the following month.

The inquest was told Oxley’s motorcycle was travelling at approximately 71kph - 20kph above the speed limit on the road - and an investigation carried out by Sovereign Base Area (SBA) officers found the helmet he was wearing was not suitable for use on a motorcycle.

The report also said shadows cast by trees along the road could have hampered visibility on what was a dry, clear morning - something else Mrs Oxley refutes as she told the inquest there were no trees on that particular route.

Assistant coroner John Hobson, who recorded a narrative verdict, said: “This is a very sad death of a serving British Army member, one who was highly respected in the military.

“The SBA carried out initial investigations before the jurisdiction was passed to the US, whose information was then reviewed again. From this, we know the collision did not occur due to any mechanical defects, although we do know the helmet CSgt Oxley was wearing was not suitable.

“The road had a 50kph speed limit and, from skid marks, estimations were made that the bike was travelling at around 71kph and the car was travelling at 31kph.

“The driver attempted to turn right. This was a head-on collision and I make no comment on whether speed was a factor, or the issue of shade.

“In conclusion, CSgt Anthony Mark Oxley’s death was caused by multiple blunt force injuries to his head as a result of a road traffic collision.”

A statement read out on behalf of the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment paid tribute to him.

“He was the very finest of soldiers, the very best drum major, mentor, friend, dad and loving husband. Regimental in every way, his personal standards were beyond reproach, truly a man who carried pride everywhere. He was proud of all that he stood for, believed in and valued.

“No matter how bad things were, with Ox around you always felt it was going to be all right. His drummers and soldiers would be able to recount all day the times he had them in painful laughter. He was the happiest of men in life and wanted all those around him to be the same.

“He did this the only way he knew - standing centre stage and setting the example to all, through his humour and ability to entertain. We thought the world of Ox - the big man needed him to make the world a better place somewhere else.”