A MOTORCYCLIST died when a driver turned across his path on a "clear" afternoon last year, a court has heard.

Graham Hibbs, who was 67, had been riding his white Kawasaki motorcycle along Victoria Road in Ferndown when he was involved in a collision with a white Renault Clio driven by Deborah Quartey.

Quartey, 24, had been driving in the opposite direction. She was attempting to turn right into Westwood Avenue in the moments before the crash.

Witnesses yesterday told jurors they had not seen her vehicle's brake lights or indicator.

Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, said the collision happened at around 2.35pm on Saturday, January 28 - a "clear, dry day".

Mr Hibbs had waited at a set of temporary traffic lights at the top of Victoria Road. Behind him in the queue was a bus, which recorded part of the collision.

"From pulling away from the traffic lights to the point of collision was about 14 seconds," Mr Ellacott said.

"He drives down the road, reaches the point where Miss Quartey is coming in the opposite direction, and she then turns right into his path.

"It seems likely she cut the corner a degree as she turns.

"In short, Mr Hibbs had no chance. He collided with the front of her vehicle.

"The impact caused Mr Hibbs to be thrown through the air. Due to the impact of the collision, he lost his crash helmet.

"He landed and suffered severe head and chest injuries."

Mr Hibbs, who lived in Wimborne, died at the scene.

Neither of the vehicles involved had any defects which may have attributed to the collision.

Quartey, of Thames Close, Ferndown, denies causing death by careless driving.

Sharon Kessel was driving her BMW immediately behind the defendant's car. On the first day of a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday, Mrs Kessel said she had seen and heard the motorcycle approaching.

"It was very loud," she said.

"I assumed the car was going to stop with the motorcycle coming towards me, but that didn't seem to be the case.

"The car just kept moving out into the opposite lane. The motorcyclist came nearer and nearer.

"I was expecting the car to brake and stop but unfortunately it didn't."

Mrs Kessel then heard a "loud bang".

"The motorcyclist obviously hit the car and was catapulted across the top," she said.

Asked by Mr Ellacott if she had seen an indicator flashing or the brake lights illuminate, she said: "I don't recall that, no."

Nick Robinson, representing Quartey, suggested to Mrs Kessel that the low winter sun had cast shadows onto the surface of the road.

"That can cause impairment," he said.

The trial continues.