THE death of a “kind and loving” motorcyclist was an accident, a coroner has ruled.

Graham Hill, 59, died after a collision on Terling Road, Witham, on August 23.

Mr Hill left his Armond Road home at around 4.10pm and was travelling towards Witham town centre.

As he travelled round a bend, Mr Hill was hit by a Peugeot van, whose driver was pulling out of a field entrance.

Dean Stratford, coroner’s officer, told Tuesday’s inquest: “As the motorcycle went around a bend it collided with the van of another driver.

"The rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Mr Hills was wearing appropriate clothing and there were no suspicious circumstances.

“The cause of death was determined as multiple traumatic injuries.”

Mr Stratford read from a report prepared by Essex Police which said that there were no contributing defects to either vehicle involved.

He said: “The likelihood of the vehicle approaching is relatively low on this stretch of road.

“The van driver pulled out of the entrance to the field slowly because of the restricted view to his right.

“Mr Hill was travelling at 56 miles an hour and he reacted by instinctively panic breaking.

"It is apparent that he may have been able to steer around the van if he was travelling slower.”

The speed limit on the stretch of road is 60 miles an hour.

Eleanor McGann, Area Coroner, ruled that Mr Hill’s death was an accident. She said: “The driver of the van could not have avoided the motorcyclist and the police have not arrested anyone.

“The motorcyclist was travelling within the speed limit.

“Mr Hills was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and was wearing appropriate clothing including a crash helmet.

“From my findings, when you put these things together, it can be seen that the death was an accident. It sadly seems nothing could have been done to avoid it — I send my condolences to the family.”

After his death, neighbours said Mr Hill was “kind and loving”.