An inexperienced motorcyclist was killed in a road accident on his way to an advanced riding course.

Horst Gellissen, 43, of Thame Road, Warborough, near Wallingford, died on May 15 last year when the 500cc Honda motorbike he was riding collided head on with a car, an inquest at Oxford Coroner's Court heard yesterday (January 26).

Giving evidence, Mr Gellissen's friend, Chris McCarthy, told the court that at the time of the accident, Mr Gellissen was travelling to Didcot to take part in an advanced motorcycle training course. He said Mr Gellissen had passed his test about six months earlier after failing it three or four times and he described him as inexperienced.

Giving evidence, Dr John Magaw said he was driving his Audi A3 on the A4130 between Didcot and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell at around 8am on May 21 at about 45mph approaching a right-hand bend.

He said: "What I remember is the sight of a motorcyclist coming straight towards me in the middle of my lane and my reaction was to think 'why are you in my lane? Why don't you take evasive action?'"

He said he had no opportunity to take evasive action himself because he did not want to go into the opposite lane.

He added: "He did not appear to brake or swerve. There was an impact and the windscreen shattered."

A verdict of accidental death was recorded. After the inquest, Mr Gellissen's brother Rick, said Mr Gellissen had previously written a motorbike off and a second bike he bought was stolen.

He said Mr Gellissen had been talking about going on the advanced driving course for months.