Motorbike enthusiast Malcolm Sims, killed in an accident at a scrambling event near Chippenham, died doing what he loved, his widow said.

An inquest into the death of father-of-two Mr Sims, 55, of Ashton Street, Trowbridge, was held in Salisbury on Wednesday.

Coroner David Ridley heard how Mr Sims was scrambling on his 650cc Triumph Matisse at a Bath Classic Motorcycle Club event at Church Farm, Yatton Keynell, on April 27 last year.

He lost control of his bike as it sped up towards a bend and veered off the track and into some trees.

He was found under a branch by first aiders and spectators and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friend and former colleague Steven Mawby from Trowbridge saw the accident. He said: “I saw him making progress in the race when he seemed to speed up coming up to the corner, which looked wrong, and then instead of going round the corner he went straight into the trees.

“I ran over and found him laid with his head under a branch and one of his knees in the air. I could see him breathing and the paramedics had come over. Once the bike had been lifted from him we went back to Malcolm’s caravan to wait.”

The crash happened in front of Mr Sim’s family, including his wife Christine, who spoke after the inquest.

She said: “He was such an expert rider. He had been riding since he was 16. It was his love and the family’s as well.

“The inquest confirmed what we thought, that it was an accident. If Malcolm could have prevented the accident he would have.

“The only comfort is knowing he died doing what he loved on his pride and joy.”

A post-mortem examination found Mr Sims died from internal injuries, including abdominal haemorhaging.

Coroner Mr Ridley called the crash a tragic accident. “I don’t think we truly know how Malcolm lost control of his motorcycle,” he said.

Mr Sims was a mechanic at Platinum Renault at the Meridian Motor Park in North Bradley. He had also worked at the Oval Group, now Heritage in Westbury and Prospect Auto Spares in Trowbridge.