A LORRY driver has relived the harrowing moment when his petrol tanker ran over a motorcyclist. Stephen Blake, of Eling, near Totton, described the accident at an inquest into the death of motorcyclist Eric Beach, 68.

The tragedy occurred around 3pm on Friday, February 16.

Mr Blake, with 400 litres in his Watson Petroleum twin-axle tanker, was driving from Stockbridge towards Romsey on the A3057.

Descending into King's Somborne, he said he slowed for a narrow bend. Two cars and a powerful motorbike ridden by Mr Beach were coming in the opposite direction.

He added: "All of a sudden I heard a screech and next minute the motorcycle was shooting off forward and the rider was heading towards me. I could see no reason for the rider to be there.

"I swerved to the inside. I guess the wheels hit the rider."

The inquest heard that Mr Beach, of Ashdene Road in Ashurst, near Totton, was an experienced motorcycle enthusiast.

He owned several machines and he was an Auto Cycle Union and RAC instructor. He was riding a Honda CBR600 with only about 200 miles on the clock.

The powerful fuel-injection machine had been lent to him by his friend Bernard Leigh, who owns a Honda dealership in Totton.

Mr Leigh said: "He rode off in a controlled, restrained and sensible manner."

A car driven by Roger Nicoll, of Newtown Road, Newbury, was following the motorbike.

Mr Nicoll said: "As we approached the bend I noticed the two cars in front of the bike slowed down. The bike didn't appear to notice they had slowed. Then the front of the bike dipped, as if it was braking sharply.

"The front wheel seemed to skid. It slid away with the camber of the road, towards the verge."

PC Paul Douglass, a crash investigator, said marks on the dry road showed the front wheel of the motorbike locked as Mr Beach was leaning into the curve.

Winchester coroner, Grahame Short, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said he wondered if bright sun might have made it difficult for Mr Beach to see brake lights in front of him.

He also referred to the Honda's powerful brakes: "Even if someone is as experienced as Mr Beach, he wouldn't have been totally experienced with the handling of the bike in an emergency situation," he said.