Relatives have remembered a motorcyclist who died in a road accident in Oxfordshire, describing him as a devoted family man during a court hearing.

The 49-year-old provisional licence holder passed away when his bike collided with a Kia after he moved into the wrong lane on a country road, Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court was informed.

Kevin John Mills, who was employed as a groundskeeper in Witney, was confirmed dead on Sunday, October 19, with the fatal incident recorded as a road traffic accident.

The crash occurred at 2pm, and after emergency services attempted life-saving treatment, he was formally pronounced dead at 2.40pm.

At the inquest held at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on Thursday, April 23, the hearing was informed that Mr Mills’s black Honda 125cc machine probably straightened up while going around a curve on Brize Norton Road near Minster Lovell.

This occurs when a bike unexpectedly aligns and proceeds straight rather than following the road’s bend, which happened after he applied the front brake.

He then struck a Kia Sorento and succumbed to his injuries at the location.

Addressing the assembled family members, Coroner Nicholas Graham said: It is evident to me that Kevin was deeply loved and remains constantly thought of.

Following his passing, loved ones and acquaintances shared their memories.

His sister-in-law Heidi Dixon, who lives in Lincoln, said: You were one of a kind. The most loyal loving person, great husband and dad. You will be sadly missed brother-in-law.

The inquest was informed that Mr Mills was completing a practical test with QuickStart Motorcycle Training and was joined by qualified instructor Wayne Badby and another learner, Jack Possee.

They were heading in the direction of Brize Norton when the accident occurred.

Mr Badby, who attended the hearing via video link, gave evidence: Kevin tried to steer the motorcycle but seemed to keep going forwards.

He went on: He then hit a small dark car coming the other way.

He stated: I am puzzled as to how the collision happened. We had ridden around a similar wide bend in Witney without any difficulty.

Dave Grover, the business proprietor, described Mr Badby as among his most seasoned instructors, mentioning he had undergone re-evaluation just seven months prior to the incident.

Despite the road having a 50mph speed restriction, several witnesses verified that the motorcycles were moving more slowly, below 40mph.

Robert Piper, a forensic road collision specialist with Thames Valley Police, was present at the hearing.

He reported: Following my review of the dashboard camera footage, the rider appears to have approached that curve with limited assurance.

Mr Piper clarified that as Mr Mills went through the bend, he applied the front brake, which made the motorcycle straighten up.

He put this down to inexperience and verified that neither rider had drunk alcohol or taken drugs, and that both machines were examined and found to be mechanically sound.

The other learner, Mr Possee, who described the occurrence as a tragic accident, reported seeing motorbike debris scattering through the air. Another observer, Susan Bone, said she noticed the motorcycle traversing the road.

Fiona Shikle, the Kia’s operator, said she was returning home when the collision took place.

She reported: I spotted a motorbike coming toward me, but it happened in an instant. I tried to steer toward the grass verge.

The motorcycle struck her car close to the driver’s side front headlight, and she recounted having to steer away again to miss another motorcycle.

In his assessment, Mr Piper noted: Ms Shikle had very limited options to avoid the collision.