THE widow of a motorcyclist has told how a part of her died when he was killed after crashing into a car.
Dean Cawkwell, 47, died from multiple injuries when he crashed into a Volks-wagen Polo on the B1248 road to Malton, near Cherry Burton.
At an inquest in Hull, Dean's widow Angela described the moment they first met at a club in 2005 as "love at first sight".
They were married later that year.
She said: "He was the kindest man – my best friend.
"My life was prematurely cut short and part of me died when I lost Dean.
"To describe the gentleman is impossible."
They shared all the same hobbies, with Dean, who lived in Hedon, teaching Angela how to play guitar, dive and helped her learn to ride a motorbike.
"We spent nearly every day together," she said.
"We made sure we organised our stag and hen parties on the same night so we would only be apart for the one night.
"He was an experienced roof tiler who enjoyed playing guitar, diving and riding his motorcycle.
"He was a courteous driver who never lost his temper."
The inquest heard car driver Jill Reid had been turning right into Rootas Lane on May 27 when Mr Cawkwell rode into her.
It was at such a force that Mrs Reid's Polo rolled over on to its roof and Mr Cawkwell was thrown from his bike.
Mrs Reid told the police she slowed down before turning and made the necessary mirror checks and saw nothing coming from the opposite direction when she turned.
She initially did not know what had hit her.
John Rusted, who investigated the crash, said he believes the bike was travelling between 65mph and 75mph on a stretch of road with a 50mph speed limit.
He told the inquest Mrs Reid had already started to turn right into Rootas Lane before the motorbike came into view. He said: "If Mr Cawkwell had been going at the speed limit, this incident would have been unlikely to happen or would somewhat have been more favourable."
The road was closed for five hours after the accident.
Several witness accounts were read out, including one from motorist Phillip Tomlinson, who drove past minutes after the crash.
He said: "The scene was the appearance of a bomb having gone off. I knew it was serious as there were bits of debris flying everywhere and the Polo was lying upside down."
Mr Cawkwell was pronounced dead at the scene, with Mrs Reid treated for minor injuries and shock.
The motorcycle also scraped a Vauxhall Corsa, travelling behind the Polo although the driver and passenger were uninjured.
Coroner Paul Stott delivered a verdict of accidental death.
