A MOTORCYCLIST who lost control of his bike on a bend near Cliviger died from severe chest injuries, an inquest heard.

Michael Barker, 54, of Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, had been out riding with his two sons, Chris and James, when the accident happened on the A646 Burnley Road on August 29 last year.

The inquest heard Mr Barker lost control of his Honda CB1300 on a sharp S-bend just before 5pm.

PC Steven Burgess, of the Accident Investigation Unit, said the weather and road conditions on the day had been good.

He said: “From the tyre impressions I estimated that Mr Barker was travelling about 32mph when he started to lose control on the bend. We found no evidence that he was speeding or that any other vehicle was involved.

"As Mr Barker began to lose control he decelerated to around 15mph and collided with the pavement and then embankment.”

After the accident Mr Barker’s sons rushed to where he lay. He was conscious and complaining of being in pain.

But as the North West Air Ambulance arrived to take him to hospital his condition deteriorated. He later died at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Consultant pathologist Dr Abdul O’Daoud said Mr Barker's cause of death was lacerations to his lungs caused by six fractured ribs.

Recording a narrative verdict, East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said: “It seems so unusual to have such a low impact collision to cause such serious injuries, with no other vehicle involvement.”

Campaigners have called for a reduction in the speed limit following a number of crashes on the road which lies between Burnley and Todmorden.

Mr Barker is the third motorcyclist to die on that stretch in three years.