A motorcyclist was killed instantly when he collided with two cars on a country road, an inquest heard on Tuesday.

Financial advisor Timothy Bonner suffered horrendous injuries after losing control of his Yamaha machine on a bend between Silsden and Addingham last June.

Bradford Coroner's Court heard how the bike struck a Honda Civic car which was travelling in the opposite direction. Mr Bonner was then thrown through the air before hitting another vehicle and smashing its windscreen.

A post-mortem examination showed that Mr Bonner -- who was 28 and from Tufton Street, Silsden -- died from multiple injuries.

Eye witnesses claimed they saw him reach speeds of 70mph on the A6034 before the accident took place.

Motorist Gavin Dewhirst told the hearing he was heading towards Silsden when the motorbike passed him at "quite a speed". It was then driven along the wrong side of the road until it reached a bend, when it appeared to pull back towards the middle.

"Less than a second later I saw debris coming up round the corner and over the wall," he said.

Kathleen Cowdell, who was travelling with her friend towards Ilkley, suffered cuts and whiplash in the accident.

She said in a statement: "As I approached the bend, I saw coming round the bend a motorcyclist at a terrific speed, straight towards me, on my side of the road.

"I braked and pulled towards the kerb when the motorcycle impacted with the front of the car."

Maralyn Panter said she had been in a Hyundai car behind Mrs Cowdell, travelling in the same direction, when she saw the bike appear to lose control at the bend, while it was being driven "excessively fast".

In a statement read to the hearing, Mr Bonner's girlfriend, Susy Orrell, said he had been a safe, competent driver who had an interest in cars and motorbikes.

She added that he was certainly aware of the hazards after passing a motorcycle test in November, 1999.

Recording an accident verdict, coroner Roger Whittaker said he believed that speed had been a contributory factor in the incident and he exonerated Kathleen Cowdell and Maralyn Panter from any blame.