A motorcycle enthusiast's Sunday spin on his new superbike ended in tragedy.

Lorry driver Paul Berwick was killed when his Suzuki GSXR 1300, with only 324 miles on the clock, was involved in a collision with a Mitsubishi Shogun on a bend on the B184 at Fyfield.

Mr Berwick, 29, of Retford Road, Harold Hill, died from multiple injuries after the accident on August 17, an Epping inquest heard.

Shogun driver Karen Ayres told coroner Dr Malcolm Weir that she saw Mr Berwick approaching her as she drove towards Ongar.

She said: "He had his head down but he glanced up and at that point his bike started to wobble and then slid towards me.

"I braked hard and pulled over to the left but I felt two bumps. I was shocked."

Mr Berwick's brother-in-law, John Marsh, said they had gone for one of their usual rides in the country on their motorcycles.

He recalled passing the Shogun and then realised Mr Berwick was not behind him.

He returned to find the scene of the accident.

Accident investigator PC Chris Black said that for some reason Mr Berwick had applied emergency braking.

His wheels locked and the bike continued in the Shogun's direction and slid into it.

There was no evidence of excessive speed and both the motorcycle, which was as new, and the Shogun were in good condition.

"Mr Berwick's actions caused the accident," said PC Black. An accidental verdict was recorded.

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