A DRIVER whose car collided head-on with Corsham motorcyclist Lee James Harding in Pickwick earlier this year could not have avoided the collision as Mr Harding's bike was on the wrong side of the road, an inquest has heard.

The hearing in Salisbury on Tuesday heard the 35-year-old was travelling along Bath Road, on the wrong side of the carriageway, at speeds approaching 100mph in a 60mph zone on April 26 at around 8pm.

Mr Harding, who was riding a Suzuki 1200 Bandit and wearing a BMX bicycle helmet, smashed into Niculae Sandu's Citroen C4 Picasso and suffered multiple injuries. The bike was split in two by the impact and despite the efforts of paramedics, Mr Harding died at the scene within the hour.

Mr Sandu, who was knocked unconscious by the impact, later told the police that he had slowed almost to a standstill and manoeuvred the car as far as he could to the left after seeing the bike on the wrong side of the road.

However the bike, which had an indicated speed on the speedometer of 88mph after the crash, kept on coming.

PC Niall Fyfe, who arrived at the scene an hour after the incident, said: "From my conclusions, Mr Sandu could have done nothing more in his attempts to avoid the collision."

He added that Mr Harding, of Northleaze, would have known the area well and the speed limits but there was no explanation why he was travelling at that speed or why he failed to negotiate the relatively mild bend.

Pathologist Lawrence John reported that Mr Harding suffered multiple fractures, irreparable damage to his heart and lungs and an injury to the brain.

The toxicology report found no alcohol or drugs were in his system, but the hearing heard a statement from his GP Dr Helen Davidson relayed that he had a heroin dependence in 2003 and 2007 and that he was being treated for depression.

Coroner David Ridley said: "Mr Harding suffered multiple traumatic injuries.

"He was considerably over the speed limit, approaching 100mph, was on the wrong side of the road on the left hand bend and should have been able to negotiate it.

"There were no defects with either the vehicle or the road to cause this and there was no evidence that he took his own life.

"I would like to pass on my regards to the family."