A MOTORCYCLIST died when he overtook a car on a blind bend, an inquest heard.

Richard Milwain suffered head injuries after he was thrown from his bike when he was involved in an accident with a Peugeot in Saltburn Road, near Brotton, east Cleveland.

The car driver, John Swales, said he did not have time to avoid the 35-year-old after he pulled out in front of him.

Mr Swales, who gave evidence at Teesside Coroner’s Court yesterday, said: “The motorbike appeared without warning from behind a black car.

“I saw him throttling on and accelerating and saw him lift his head in surprise. The bike just went straight into me, the front windscreen smashed and my airbag went off.

“I saw the motorbike and the rider lying on the road and the rider was not moving. I just couldn’t understand why the motorcyclist overtook the black car.”

Mr Milwain, a married father- of-two, died at the scene following the accident, at about 7.50pm on June 14, last year.

Lyndsey Doe, a passenger in the Peugeot, said: “The motorbike came from behind the black car, going to overtake it.

“It came into our lane in front of us. John braked hard, but there was nothing he could do.”

The accident took place as Mr Milwain, of East Crescent, Loftus, was riding his 400cc bike along Saltburn Road, opposite Brough House Farm, Brotton.

Dr David Scoones, who carried out a post-mortem examination, said Mr Milwain’s injuries included fractures to his skull, pelvis and spine.

Samuel L’Aime-Walton, who was driving the car Mr Milwain overtook, said: “I was very shaken by what I had seen. I couldn’t believe that someone would overtake on a blind bend.”

Accident investigator PC Peter Hammond said there were no mechanical faults on the bike or the car involved in the accident.

Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded a verdict of accidental death.