yesterday ruled the death of Winston William Paynter an accident.

The verdict closed a two-day inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of the 15-year-old soccer and cricket star who was killed after losing control of his 50cc scooter and crashing a stone pillar on Middle Road in the early hours of New Year's Day, 1995.

Medical evidence presented last week determined Winston died because of a ruptured right atrium, the result of a massive blow to the chest suffered in the accident.

The coroner yesterday heard from three witnesses, including two friends who were accompanying Winston and passenger Farrad Furquan to White Hill field for a New Year's Eve reggae party.

Raymond Burgess told the inquest he was the lone driver of a rented Honda City Express and remembers Winston "boosting'' him as they drove west along Middle Road.

"Boosting'' means to push another bike with the hand or foot to make it go faster. As the group came upon a car all three cycles cut out to pass and as the City Express and Winston's red Suzuki Address pulled back into the left hand lane Raymond's lead cycle began to wobble.

The youth disputed statements he made to Police in the aftermath of the accident. At the time he said his Honda was struck from behind by Winston's Suzuki.

He also disputed testimony by Melvyn Bassett who said he saw two cycles go down in the accident. When asked by Coroner's Officer Sgt. Rex Osborne to clarify the inconsistencies Raymond replied he could not remember much of the accident.

"You must remember the accident; do you?'' said Sgt. Osborne.

Coroner Bailey interjected, telling Raymond that the inquest into the death of a friend was not a trivial matter. "Your attitude's got to change -- a lot -- be respectful of the death of your friend,'' he admonished the youth.

A second companion, Gernel Darrell, was riding behind Winston and Raymond at the time and had a clear view of the accident.

In a statement to Police, Gernel said he saw Winston's front wheel "clip'' the rear wheel of the City Express before losing control and crashing into a stone pillar at 42 Middle Road. However, under questioning from Sgt. Osborne, Gernel took issue with his earlier statement as well, saying only the two cycles "got close '' to each other and this may have contributed to the accident.

Investigating officer P.c. Dave Greenidge told the inquest Winston and his father, Winston Martin, co-purchased the red Suzuki in the fall of 1994, but at the time of his death Winston was only 15-years-old and was driving illegally.

P.c. Greenidge said Mr. Martin and his son had a verbal agreement that Winston would only drive the cycle on weekends.

Throughout the testimony Mr. Martin sat impassively, his head bowed and his eyes closed.

In handing down his verdict Coroner Bailey said although Winston's death was accidental, it was also apparent that the practice of "boosting'' may have been a contributing factor.

"This must cease,'' Coroner Bailey declared.

He also stressed that kids must be warned against driving while under age and under the influence of controlled substances. Evidence presented last week indicated trace amounts of cannabis in Winston's urine.

In closing Coroner Bailey, on behalf of the community, extended condolences to the family of Winston William Paynter.