MOTORBIKER Steven Wylie, who was due to start a new life in New Zealand, died from the multiple injuries he received after a collision between his bike and a Land Rover Defender, an inquest heard yesterday.

Mr Wylie, 31, of Rowden Hill, Chippenham, died in hospital with his family at his bedside just hours after the crash on the A4 at Pickwick.

Mr Wylie was returning home from his brother's house in Bath on August 28 last year at about 10.25pm. His Suzuki motorbike skidded into the side of the Land Rover at the junction of Hartham Lane and the A4 between the Cross Keys and Hare and Hounds pub.

Mr Wylie was taken to Royal United Hospital, Bath. Paramedic Michael Souter said Mr Wylie was conscious and breathing, but was in shock and it became obvious his injuries were far more serious than could be seen.

In April Land Rover driver Michael Welch of High Street, Great Cheverell, was fined £220, ordered to pay £35 costs and given six points on his licence after admitting careless driving.

Mr Welch, an agricultural contractor, told the inquest at North West Wiltshire Magistrates' Court in Chippenham that he had relived the moment over and over again and could give no explanation as to why he did not see the approaching biker.

"I have been over it and over it and I cannot come up with anything and cannot provide an explanation as to why I did not see the motorcycle. I did not see it until it was broadside," he said.

Wiltshire coroner David Masters recorded a verdict of accidental death.