This article is more than 11 years old

This article is more than 11 years old

A motorcyclist died in a freak accident when a pheasant crashed into his helmet, an inquest was told.

The bird hit 52-year-old Ian Bottomley on the head and caused him to swerve into an embankment and fall off his bike.

Police found Bottomley, a father of two from Preston, Lancashire, lying motionless in the road and surrounded by feathers.

The accident happened on the A683 in Hornby, near Lancaster, on May 10.

Bottomley was said to have been travelling at up to 77mph on the road with a maximum speed of 60mph, but assistant deputy coroner Derek Baker said speed was not a factor in the death.

The inquest heard the motorcycle was in roadworthy condition and there were no defects on the carriageway.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Baker said: "This could not have been anticipated, nothing could have been done to prevent it."