A DEAF motorcyclist died when he was thrown off his bike after a crash with a milk float, an inquest was told.

Jefferson Steadman, aged 32, suffered multiple injuries when he fell from his 250cc Aprilla machine.

The inquest heard that Mr Steadman of Beaver Drive, Unsworth, had been severely deaf since birth but was proficient at driving both cars and motorbikes. He had been a motorcyclist since 1988 and was regarded as a careful road user.

The accident happened as Mr Steadman was on his way to work riding along Bury and Bolton Road, Radcliffe.

The driver of the milk float, Mrs Ethel Snowdon, had missed a turn to a local farm and had turned into a farm entrance and was emerging to turn back towards Bury.

Mr Steadman, it appeared, may have moved to go round the milk float, realised he could not make it and braked sharply. The back brakes locked and he came off his bike which hit the rear of the float. He was rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital but died despite efforts at resuscitation.

Police experts believe he may have been travelling at between up to 44 mph.

In a statement, Mrs Snowdon said she had gone to a farm to get extra milk and had missed her turning. She pulled into another farm entrance and straightened up to turn back towards Bury. She saw no traffic coming and pulled across the road when the motorcyclist appeared travelling along the centre of the road. She tried to get out of the way but there was an impact.

In recording a verdict of accidental death coroner Michael Williams said the precise speed of Mr Steadman's bike was not clear.

He died despite having the necessary safety gear including a helmet.