A MOTORCYCLIST was killed after his high-powered bike smashed into the side of a car doing a three point turn in a rush-hour traffic jam on the A325, an inquest has heard.

Kenneth Manners crashed his Honda Firestorm into the carÕs door after he was driving down the wrong side of the road at 33 mph to avoid queuing in the heavy traffic.

Mr Manners, 57, came off his bike after trying to avoid the green Honda Civic estate car of Susan Courtier-Dutton at Alice Holt Forest in Bucks Horn Oak.

His inquest in Basingstoke on Tuesday heard that after slamming on his brakes Mr Manners lost control of the bike and slid along the road into the car.

Motorists in the evening rush-hour traffic jam rushed to the scene of the accident, on the notorious stretch between Frith End and the Half-Way House pub, to help Mr Manners and called the emergency services.

Army paramedics travelling along the road gave an unconscious Mr Manners first aid treatment at the scene.

He was then taken by ambulance to Frimley Park Hospital where he died at 5 am the following day from multiple injuries.

A post mortem carried out at the hospital showed the father of three had suffered massive injuries to his chest and head.

He was on his way home from working at Runfold Plastics in Passfield at the time of the accident.

Analysis of his blood proved that scout leader Mr Manners, of Keable Road, Wrecclesham, had not taken any alcohol or drugs prior to the accident.

Witnesses to the crash, which happened at about 5-53 pm on October 24 last year, told the inquest that Mrs Courtier-DuttonÕs car was hit just seconds after she turned it into the opposite lane.

Painter Donald Whiting said: ÒI saw the ladyÕs green Honda Civic estate car doing a three point turn right into the southbound lane.

ÒI am sure that she did not use her indicator lights and it amazed me she started doing the manoeuvre with no warning.

ÒI noticed the motorcycle approaching from behind me in my mirror and it was only a matter of seconds until the bike went bang and hit the car.Ó

Police reports on the crash said that the weather was not a factor as it was a dry evening and the visibility was good.

Mrs Courtier-Dutton, 60, of Bucks Horn Oak, insisted at the inquest that she had checked her mirrors and indicated before moving across the carriageway to avoid the queues.

ÒThe traffic was very slow in moving and would stop occasionally,Ó she said.

ÒFrom the moment I went into the forest I was considering doing a three point turn as I know the crossroads up ahead was an accident place.

ÒOnce the road stops winding, there is a long straight section and I waited until I got there before I did it.

ÒI slowed down, indicated and then started to pull out to do my three-point turn.

ÒI got to the other side of the road, put the car into reverse and was ready to go back when I heard the sound of breaking.

ÒI turned around to look in the direction of the sound and saw the bike tilt to the left and the man went through the air.Ó

Coroner Andrew Bradley said that the tragic events leading up to the crash were clear cut.

He said: ÒI am drawn to two conclusions on this case Ð that Susan Courtier-Dutton should have seen Kenneth Manners and he should have seen her.

ÒWhatever the position, Kenneth Manners did collide with her car.

ÒHis vehicle was pushed over and he slid partially under the vehicle sustaining massive injuries.

Verdict: Accident.

Speaking after the inquest, Len Manners, the deceasedÕs brother, said he was devastated by the result of the inquest which recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He added: ÒThe way the witnesses spoke, there is a strong element in favour of my brother driving normally and quite reasonably. But the point of inquests are not to attribute blame.

ÒMy sister-in-law is planning to meet with a prosecution officer to see if they think there is a case to answer from the evidence gathered.Ó