"I JUST want him caught." Those were the words of Mandy Snowdon whose dad, Ralph Joseph Snowdon, was killed when his motorbike was involved in a crash on the B1257 Helmsley to Stokesley road, near Chop Gate, on May 28 last year.

The coroner at Mr Snowdon's inquest also pleaded with the unknown motorcyclist who caused his death on the notorious Bilsdale Road in Ryedale to come forward.

North Yorkshire East coroner Michael Oakley yesterday recorded a verdict that 67-year-old Mr Snowdon, a retired civil engineer, of The Hawthorns, Riccall, York, was unlawfully killed in the accident.

Giving his verdict at the inquest in Northallerton, Mr Oakley described Mr Snowdon as "a very experienced motorcyclist".

The unknown rider had been heading towards him at high speed, resulting in Mr Snowdon losing control and crashing into a wall half a mile from the village of Chop Gate.

Mr Oakley also said the unknown rider had almost caused the death of a second motorcyclist, Stephen Hoaksey, of Garforth, Leeds.

Mandy Snowdon, 39, of Dringhouses, York, said: "While I'm pleased that the inquest cleared my dad of any responsibility for the accident, I want the man who caused his death to be caught so we can move on with our lives. The whole thing has felt like I'm living in a bubble, and it just won't burst."

In evidence at the inquest, Mr Hoaksey told the coroner he had been with his wife and Mr Snowdon, riding on separate machines in convoy, heading to a caf at Chop Gate.

Rachel Hoaksey had been in front, with Mr Snowdon behind her, while he was bringing up the rear. He said they had not been travelling fast, and were enjoying the scenery, driving behind two other cars.

His wife had overtaken the two cars and Mr Snowdon had started to do so, but he then went out of sight.

Mr Hoaksey said the bike was a multi-coloured Suzuki, a style he had not previously seen.

He managed to locate Mr Snowdon, lying at the other side of a stone wall.

Traffic constable Stephen Kirkbright said a man had been arrested and interviewed, and found to be the owner of a multicoloured machine, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had decided not to prosecute.

He said: "My conclusion was that this motorcycle was the one involved. No further inquiries are to be made."

However, he said while there was not sufficient evidence in the CPS's opinion to bring the case to court, there could still be a civil prosecution.

Giving his verdict, Mr Oakley said: "It is clear that someone out there knows what happened, and it will be on that person's conscience for the rest of their lives. I would make a plea that that person comes forward."

Updated: 10:25 Tuesday, February 14, 2006