A 62-YEAR-OLD is to be prosecuted over an accident in which a motorcyclist died, an inquest was told.

The move was revealed as witnesses told of the moment caretaker George Johnson was "thrown into the air" on the A59 at Clitheroe on a Sunday afternoon last month.

The 54-year-old was returning home from a regular bike trip with friends about 3pm when his Honda motorbike collided with a Vauxhall Astra van.

PC Stephen Wilson said the van, driven by Burnley man John Webster, came off the Pimlico link road and turned right into the path of the biker, who was heading in the direction of Preston.

And coroner's officer Lynne Farnworth said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that the driver will face prosecution."

After the hearing police confirmed the prosecution would be for driving without due care and attention.

George, originally from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, lived on-site at St Catherine's Hospice, Lostock Hall. He suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Widow Margaret, 50, who described him as a "devoted husband and father to Tina, 21" said George, who had been riding for three years and had passed an advanced driving certificate, enjoyed his bike "so much."

PC Wilson said: "At that junction it is a 'give way' to the A59 where the visibility is extensive.

"The rider may have thought that the van was waiting until he had passed when he was overtaking. But the van came into his path.

"The Honda had no way of stopping or moving and was not driving excessively fast."

Witness Elizabeth Agnew was less than 100 yards from the crash as a front seat passenger travelling with her husband, Paul and her 15-year-old son, Matthew.

Mrs Agnew, who ran to Mr Johnson's side, said: "The whole thing was sickening. He was catapulted into the air. I screamed and my son, who was sleeping, woke up. "

Mr Agnew said: "I remember saying, after three bikes overtook us, that if ever a road that needed speed cameras it was this one. No sooner had I said it the crash happened."

Another witness Michael Brown, who was waiting behind the van, said: "I couldn't believe it when the van started to pull out. The bike had no chance."

A statement read out on behalf of Mr Webster said: "I never saw the bike, just heard him on impact."

Coroner Michael Singleton, recording a verdict of accidental death added: "It seems such a great tragedy for people to die doing what they love."