A MOTORCYCLIST was killed when he crashed into a tractor that was turning off a Herefordshire road.

Gary Houghton, aged 54, died after crashing his Kawasaki on the B4348 near Thruxton at 4pm on Friday, April 23.

Mr Houghton, of Percival Place, Newton St Margarets, had only owned the cruiser-style motorbike for three weeks before the crash, but had ridden several other motorbikes over a long period of time.

The 54-year-old was wearing what was described as an open- faced helmet, which was cracked in the crash.

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Herefordshire coroner Mark Bricknell concluded that the death was a result of the crash.

“He died of multiple injuries,” he said.

“Mr Houghton had overtaken a line of traffic on his motorbike before colliding with a tractor which was turning right.”

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were sent to the scene and an off-duty military nurse was also there.

However, an inquest held at Hereford Town Hall on Monday was told that Mr Houghton had suffered “unsurvivable” injuries.

The inquest heard how he had attempted to overtake three cars and the tractor, which was driven by Ben Morgan.

Mr Houghton had tried to brake severely to avoid a collision, but hit the tractor which was turning into a junction for Arkstone Court.

Mr Morgan had finished planting potatoes that day and had machinery behind his tractor.

He told the inquest that the cars behind him were aware of his right-turn manoeuvre and he had almost came to a stop before pulling into the junction.

Mr Morgan said he was only aware of the motorbike after hearing a bang after pulling into the junction.

“This location is not safe for this overtaking manoeuvre,” concluded the investigating police officer Nicholas Stafford.