A MOTORcyclist hit an oncoming car head-on after overtaking another biker at speed on a blind bend, an inquest was told yesterday.

The force of the crash threw Robin Mark Hill, aged 31, of New Road, Crook, County Durham, 40 metres from the point where the accident happened, on the A689 near the Killhope Lead Mining Museum, in Upper Weardale.

The tragedy, in May, sparked a police blitz on weekend bikers riding on rural roads in Weardale and Teesdale.

The inquest heard that Mr Hill, on a 1000cc Suzuki, overtook John Timmons, of Rowantree Avenue, Durham, at speed.

Mr Timmons told the hearing, in Chester-le-Street magistrates' Court: "He came past me very quickly.

"I would say the fact that he overtook on a corner, on the wrong side of the road, at speed, is not something I would have done myself,

"I saw the car coming towards me as he went past. From the moment he committed to overtake, the collision was inevitable."

Car driver Julian Thompson, who lives in Wales, said he had no chance to avoid Mr Hill.

He said: "Everything was over in a split second. There was no time to take evasive action."

Consultant pathologist Dr Tony Sendhira said that Mr Hill died from multiple injuries. Tests showed he had a small quantity of cannabis in his blood.

Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "For whatever reason, Mr Hill was going fast on a blind corner and overtaking someone in a way he should not have. Clearly, he has paid the ultimate price for that mistake."