A RETIRED detective told police he could not explain why he did not spot a motorcycle heading towards a danger junction as he pulled out to cross the road.

Pillion passenger Adrian Marshall suffered fatal injuries after he was flung from his brother Andrew's Suzuki 750cc motorbike after a collision with a VW Golf car at the crossroads of Skipton Road with Castle Road and Regent Avenue, Colne, on June 24, a Burnley inquest heard.

He was thrown into a Vauxhall Cavalier car waiting in Castle Road to turn left down Skipton Road towards the town centre and suffered multiple injuries to his head, chest and stomach.

Adrian, 39, who lived with his brother and parents in Mancknols Street, Nelson, died from his injuries in the operating theatre at Burnley General Hospital.

East Lancashire coroner David Smith recorded a verdict of accidental death. VW driver, Peter McKendrick who retired as a detective sergeant at Burnley early this year, was staying with a friend in Castle Road at the time of the accident.

He told police he dropped a friend off in Langroyd Road, Colne, and was on his way back to Castle Road.

He travelled down Regent Avenue to the give way junction with Skipton Road intending to cross the main road into Castle Road.

When asked if he could explain why he did not see the motorbike Mr McKendrick said: "It's very difficult, I really don't know. I took what I consider were all the right precautions.

"If I had seen any traffic, especially a motor cyclist, I would not have attempted the manoeuvre."

Mr McKendrick said he had edged out because the view right towards Colne was partially blocked by parked cars. All drivers provided negative breath tests. The motorbike had its full headlights on, visibility was good, it was daylight and the weather was dry.

Adrian and Andrew Marshall were on their way home from Weston Electrical Units, Foulridge, where they worked.

Andrew Marshall said he was travelling around 30mph when he saw the VW edging out from the junction into Skipton Road. "I thought he was going to stop because he slowed down as if he was having a look. When I thought he had seen me I relaxed with the brakes and carried on."

Mr Marshall said the VW seemed to dart in front of him so he tried to swerve round the front of the car into the mouth of Castle Road.

Mr McKendrick was at the hearing but did not give evidence.

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