A FORMER Army officer died when his motorcycle collided with a car in North Yorkshire.

John Michael Kirkman, 69, had been out for a ride with two friends on a dry, clear July 30 last year when the collision occurred on the A170 between Sutton Bank and Helmsley.

An inquest heard from Joseph Lewis, of Newcastle, who had been driving his wife and two children down to Flamingo Land in his white VW Sirocco.

Mr Lewis said he was driving from the top of Sutton Bank towards Helmsley, when he was hit from behind by a motorcycle.

He said: “I was driving and looking for somewhere to stop for a cigarette.

“I saw a turning, slowed down and indicated.

“I was just about to start to turn when there was a thud at the back of the car.”

One witness called to the inquest was Rick Levitt from Harrogate, an old friend of Mr Kirkman who was one of his fellow motorcyclists on the day.

He described Mr Kirkman as an “extremely experienced motorcyclist”, saying: “We were going to a cafe in Helmsley. He knew the way.

“It had been an uneventful journey up to this point.

“We all had our headlights on and were going about 60 miles per hour.

“Then I suddenly heard John’s engine note go up. It happened very quickly. John slammed into the car and I saw him come off.”

Coroner Michael Oakley said: “Mr Kirkman has gone for an overtake and has suddenly aborted because he’s seen the vehicle in front has slowed and is indicating.”

Dave Taylor, collision investigator for the North Yorkshire Police, said the Ripon man's Triumph motorcycle hit the Sirocco on the rear, below the numberplate.

He said: “As a result of having children in the car, Mr Lewis has decided to pull up to have a cigarette.

“Mr Kirkman commenced an overtake - he was indicating to overtake.

“Mr Lewis has indicated right and braked.

“Mr Kirkman applied his brakes to the point of wheel-lock.”

Mr Taylor added that when Mr Kirkman’s wheels locked he was “effectively a passenger” on the bike and could not have avoided the collision.

The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death.