A motorcyclist died because the driver of the car that hit him could not see through his windscreen clearly, a coroner said.

Edward Green, 32, died after the collision on the B4100 Leamington-Banbury road near Gaydon in April. The driver of a Vauxhall Nova car had turned right across the path of the motorbike.

The motorcyclist was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, but did not survive.

Car driver Gary Mitchell, of Holliers Crescent, Middle Barton, did not attend the inquest at Leamington town hall. The hearing was told he was suffering from severe depression.

In an interview with police he said: I did not see the bike and I cannot understand why.

A statement from witness Ivan D'Moirah said the driver was hysterical after the crash and others said he was swearing and thumping his car.

The bike had been seen by several people before the crash and they agreed it was being ridden on the correct side of the road and below the speed limit.

Pc Michael Shone said general visibility from the car was poor because its load of bags and fishing gear blocked the view from the driver's seat. He also said the wiper blades were worn and had scratched the windscreen.

Coroner Michael Coker, who recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Green, of Leamington Spa, said: We should think about the way in which we load our car

I believe that had a considerable bearing in this case. We should keep all windows clear at all times."