A MOTORIST involved in what proved to be a fatal overtaking manoeuvre told police he had a clear view of the road ahead prior to pulling out, a court heard.

Wayne Gascoigne said he checked to see there was no oncoming traffic before starting to pull out in his BMW 330 to overtake two slower moving cars in front of him, travelling southbound on the A68, between Castleside and Tow Law, County Durham, shortly before 1.40pm, on Saturday September 2, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that he believed there were no obstructions to his view of the road ahead, so he checked his rear-view mirror and indicated to pull out.

But, as he was about level with the second vehicle he was trying to overtake, he suddenly saw a motorcycle approaching with an orange livery, which he could not avoid hitting.

Motorcyclist Shaun Dave Neal was travelling northbound on his Honda CBR when the collision took place with the BMW, throwing him from the bike.

The court has already been told that the 46-year-old ex-serviceman, from Jarrow, would have died instantly with the force of the impact.

Although both road and air ambulance crews attempted to revive him where he lay at the roadside, the medical team agreed to cease resuscitation efforts by 2.20pm.

A witness told the court a distraught Mr Gascoigne said he was, “totally to blame”, at the scene shortly after the accident.

The 23-year-old gave negative breath and saliva samples to police, and, after his caution and arrest, gave the interview, which was read to court.

He told Detective Constable Charlotte Ryans that he had been to work at the Nissan motor plant, on Wearside, that morning and, after a 50-minute session at his regular gym, in Consett, was travelling home to Wolsingham on a familiar stretch of road in good sunlit conditions.

Mr Gascoigne said he was “hungry”, but not in a hurry.

He said he was travelling at 60-miles per hour, which is the speed limit for the road, when he tried to overtake the two cars in front, who were only going at 35 to 40-mph.

Questioned by Det Con Ryans he denied his actions at the wheel were either dangerous or careless and maintained he was driving, “competently and normally”.

But he added that he felt, “absolutely terrible”, about what happened to Mr Neal.

Earlier, the court heard it was agreed between driving experts for both the police and defence that there was ample time for Mr Gascoigne to have seen Mr Neal on the motorcycle as he approached from the brow of a hill, despite a couple of brief obstructions with trees and bushes.

The Crown claims that by driving too close to the Volkswagen Tiguan in front, prior to pulling out, it would have restricted Mr Gascoigne’s view of the road ahead.

Robin Turton, prosecuting, told the court that it should have been obvious to a “competent and careful driver” that in those circumstances it would be dangerous to overtake.

Mr Gascoigne, of Front Street, Wolsingham, denies causing Mr Neal’s death by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.