A MOTORCYCLING trip taken by two friends ended in tragedy when a Herefordshire man's bike collided head-on with a lorry, an inquest heard.

Chris Collins, of Ross-on-Wye, was travelling with Andrew Bashford when he died taking a bend near Brecon.

Mr Bashford, an engineer from Reading, told the inquest he looked in his wing mirror to see Mr Collins colliding with the 24-tonne lorry on an undulating and awkward section of road.

Brecon Combined Court heard Mr Collins was certified dead shortly before noon on October 21 last year.

Dr Steven Howle, a pathologist at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, confirmed the 47-year-old died from multiple injuries.

Graham Middleton, a self-employed HGV driver from Llandrindod Wells, told the coroner he had driven through Lower Chapel on the B4250 when he saw Mr Bashford's motorbike pass him safely.

He then described seeing Mr Collins approaching at a "sensible speed, on the correct side of the road and seemingly in control".

But as the two vehicles were about to pass, Mr Middleton saw Mr Collins brake suddenly before going onto his side and into the front steps of the Mercedes lorry.

"I can't understand what went wrong and it was just over like that," Mr Middleton said. "I am just so sorry I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Forensic vehicle examiner Brian Reece said Mr Collins, a works manager with A J Lowther & Son in Whitchurch, was travelling at around 45mph, below the 60mph speed limit for the road.

However, he said a comfortable speed to have negotiated the bend would have been 35mph and suggested Mr Collins' lack of experience in riding and the line he took may have contributed to the fall.

Mr Reece also explained that Mr Collins' 600cc Suzuki motorbike had a braking defect which could have been a factor in the accident.

The court was told the bike had passed its MOT four months before the accident and Powys Coroner Geraint Williams said the brake defect should have been picked up by the garage.

But Mr Williams said he believed speed was the main cause for the crash and recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "Chris Collins was driving perfectly until he came alongside the lorry, at which point he reacted.

"Perhaps he was going at a speed that was too much as he was approaching the bend.

"We have heard his bike had a braking defect but I don't think that was a major influence and I believe the collision would still have occurred."

After the inquest, Mr Collins' widow, Liz, made this statement to the Hereford Times.

"Chris's wife and daughters would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of their wonderful friends who have continued to provide love, care and enormous support throughout this difficult time. In particular to Gan Gan, the Matchetts, Beddards, Osbournes, Morrisseys and the staff and students of John Kyrle High School."