A NEWPORT father-of-three died in a motorbike crash during a day-trip riding around Gwent, an inquest was told.

Michael Christopher Pashley died after hitting a car on the A4042 between Abergavenny and Goytre on September 17 at about 3.45pm.

The 46-year-old was flung from the bike and a Peugeot 306 went over him, trapping him underneath.

His wife of 23 years, Joanna, was riding pillion and survived the crash despite being catapulted through the air.

Giving evidence at Newport coroner's court, she said: "He was very careful and I wouldn't have gone on with him if I didn't think he was."

The inquest heard that Mr Pashley was passionate about motorcycles and had his first bike when he was 17.

He quit biking to have a family before starting again after his 40th birthday. The self-employed builder, of Caerleon Road, and his wife spent the day riding the Honda Fireblade around Usk, Shirenewton and Tintern. They were on their way home when the accident happened.

The Peugeot driver, Gwyneth Mary Powell, told the inquest she pulled out of Saron Road drove "a couple of hundred yards" towards Goytre and was waiting to turn right into a lane leading to her home.

As she began to turn, Mr Pashley tried to overtake but collided with the wing of her car.

"I heard a terrible crash like an aeroplane crashing from the trees," said Mrs Powell.

"I saw two people flying through the air and there were bits of motorcycle going everywhere."

Mrs Powell, who said she had held a licence for 50 years without having an accident, said she tried to brake but her car failed to stop, running over Mr Pashley and trapping him underneath.

Eyewitnesses freed him and he was taken to Abergavenny's Nevill Hall Hospital where he died from multiple injuries.

Gwent Police accident investigator PC Chris Goddard said neither vehicle was speeding nor defective.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Wendy James said Mr Pashley and Mrs Powell were both driving "properly and safely. This is every motorcyclist's and car driver's worst nightmare," she said.