A MOTORCYCLIST died when he collided with a car and was thrown through its windscreen.

The force of the impact was so great it caused Paul Hinks’ Honda Fireblade bike to shear into two pieces, one of which flew over the car and landed about 15 metres away.

Mr Hinks, of the Parkway, Snaith, was riding with a friend, and was on the wrong side of the road when he collided with the Ford Focus.

Yesterday, the inquest at Selby Magistrates court heard that the car was being driven by a Normanton man, Liam Gunn, who was also seriously injured.

Mr Gunn was driving with two friends when he approached a bend in the road and saw Mr Hinks, 44, coming towards him on his bike.

He said: “I was pretty scared at the time, I slammed on my brakes and moved over to the left. I think I was on the grass verge when I stopped.

“The impact was right in front of me on my side of the car.

“He came through my windscreen head first and slammed into my chest.”

Mr Gunn was airlifted to hospital where he spent six days in intensive care and several more on a high dependency ward. Mr Hinks was pronounced dead at the scene.

The inquest heard a statement from Philip John Mitcheson, with whom Mr Hinks was riding, which said he was a “safe and experienced” motorcyclist, who had been riding for many years, and witnesses told the inquest they had seen Mr Hinks’ handlebars shaking.

A police expert told the inquest it was not likely Mr Hinks was above the 60mph limit when he crashed.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Selby coroner Rob Turnbull said: “I am satisfied that this accident occurred because of the line Mr Hinks took through the bend.”