A MAN died when his motorbike was in collision with a car on a road with a poor quality surface, an inquest heard on Tuesday.

William Turner, aged 66, of The Hollows, Mount Pleasant, Mow Cop died from multiple injuries after the accident in Scholar Green earlier this year.

The inquest heard that the surface of the road, Spring Bank, had been partly covered with mud and sand which gave it less grip.

Mr Turner, a retired coach builder, had about 40 years experience of riding motorbikes when the accident happened on January 30 this year.

He was riding a blue Kawasaki 650 motorbike up Spring Bank when he was in collision with a blue Ford Sierra, driven by Bryn Whartern.

The inquest heard that because the road was covered in mud the local authority had sent sand to cover it to improve the situation

PC Peter Benningwood told the inquest the road surface was in "poor condition, covered in mud and sand" and that made the surface very smooth.

He said he had driven along the road himself applying the brakes and even light pressure meant the ABS was activated and the wheels locked.

Farmer John Harvey, who has a field near the accident, said his son had been driving a tractor on the road.

But Mr Harvey said he had not seen the condition of it and he was not responsible for it.

Mr Whartern said he had been driving along Spring Bank and was approaching the corner when he saw the motorbike ahead.

As he began to brake the car started to slide across the road and the wheel crossed the central line.

He stopped braking and brought the car back onto the correct side but it began to drift again and the car was in collision with the front of the motorbike.

PC Benningwood said there was no evidence to show the Sierra was being driven carelessly and coroner John Hibbert recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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