A VERDICT of accidental death was recorded on a West Somerset District Council officer whose motorcycle was in a fatal collision just outside Williton.

West Somerset coroner Michael Rose said Geoffrey O'Brien died instantly from multiple injuries sustained in the crash on the A358 near the Quantock Service Station.

Mr O'Brien, aged 40, was travelling towards Taunton when he collided with a car being driven by Gordon Tizzard, of Bicknoller.

The inquest was told Mr Tizzard was travelling towards Williton and had begun to turn into the service station when the collision happened.

There were no witnesses to the crash, and there was insufficient evidence to calculate the speed of the motorcycle.

However, the inquest was told Mr Tizzard was likely to face prosecution for the accident which happened on May 16.

Police experts said it would have been possible for Mr O'Brien, who lived in Willand, Devon, to reach speeds of up to 90mph on that particular stretch of road.

Mr Tizzard was not at the inquest to give evidence, but in a written statement said the motorcycle had not been in sight when he began his manoeuvre.

He also estimated that the bike was travelling at between 80 and 90 miles per hour.