An off-road motorbiking enthusiast died when his machine crashed into a car next to a disused airfield, an inquest was told yesterday.Michael Hyde, of The Street, Beeston, was killed four days after his 53rd birthday following the crash on the unclassified road between Coney Weston and Gasthorpe, just across the Suffolk-Norfolk border.

An off-road motorbiking enthusiast died when his machine crashed into a car next to a disused airfield, an inquest was told on Tuesday last week.

Michael Hyde, of The Street, Beeston, was killed four days after his 53rd birthday following the crash on the unclassified road between Coney Weston and Gasthorpe, just across the Suffolk-Norfolk border.

The motorcyclist had been taking part in an off-road meeting on the former second world war aerodrome at Knettishall in June when the tragedy happened.

Mr Hyde was with a small group of riders when his Suzuki motorcycle was in collision with a Renault Laguna car driven by Alison Clements.

In a written statement, PC Darren Sargent, who investigated the accident, said: “The rider either failed to see or failed to take appropriate action in time.”

The inquest at Bury St Edmunds was told that Ms Clements would only have had about a 20-metre view of the rider beforehand and it would not have been possible to avoid the accident despite emergency braking.

In a written statement, Mr Hyde's wife Caroline said he was an accomplished rider who would often go out with friends on their bikes.

His friend, Matthew White, who was part of the group at Knettishall on June 20, said the bikes were travelling at about 15 to 20mph around the airfield when Mr Hyde went ahead of the group and appeared to be struck by another vehicle.

Mr Hyde suffered multiple injuries, and Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean recorded a verdict of accidental death.