A BIKER died after suffering massive head injuries in a motorcycle crash, an inquest has heard.

Andrew Tunnicliff, from Penketh, was killed in a crash while riding his motorbike in North Wales on Monday, May 28, last year.

An inquest at Ruthin Coroner’s Court yesterday, Thursday, heard the 53-year-old’s final moments.

Mr Tunnicliff, of Shoreham Drive, was riding his Aprilla bike on the A470 between Blaenua Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed shortly before 2pm on the Bank Holiday Monday.

He was travelling behind a Volkswagen Golf, which itself was following a Fiat 500 - with all vehicles travelling at around 50mph.

The Volkswagen driver told the court that IT specialist Mr Tunnicliff was around 10 car lengths behind him, but began to over take his vehicle as the Fiat started to indicate right to turn into a layby.

Fiat driver Gary Hinton, from Wigan, did not see the motorbike - telling the coroner he had looked in his mirror, indicated and moved into the centre of the road.

It was at this point that Mr Tunnicliff - who was born and brought up in Stoke, and had previously worked for Wedgwood Pottery and Toyota - hit the back of his car.

Collision investigator Gordon Saynor told the court that he may not have been able to see the Fiat’s indicator from behind the Volkswagen, and that the bike’s speed on impact would have been between 25mph and 30mph.

Mr Tunnicliff lost his helmet in the crash and suffered massive injuries.

Fiancée Janet Smith said in court that he had been a keen motorcyclist for around 12 years, and that Mr Tunnicliff serviced and maintained his own bikes - with the couple having fostered children together.

She added: “He had everything to live for, and he was a lovely guy.”

Joanne Lees, assistant coroner for North Wales, recorded a conclusion of death by road traffic collision.

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Ms Lees said: “For some reason, Mr Tunnicliff failed to see or failed to appreciate that the Fiat was turning right.

“Mr Hinton also failed to appreciate that there was a motorcycle behind him, and that it was overtaking.”

The family of Mr Tunnificliffe paid tribute to a ‘loving partner, son, brother and uncle’ in the wake of his death last year.

In a statement, the family said: "Andrew Tunnicliff passed away on May 28 doing what he loved in a tragic motorbike accident in North Wales.

“Andy was a loving partner, son, brother and uncle.

“He was a kind, loving, caring, and clever man, a big Port Vale supporter and a computer genius - Andy will be greatly missed by all.”