A WIDOW died after stepping out in front of a motorbike as she crossed the road outside her home.

Mrs Jenny Shaw, 77, of Moor Lane, Netherthong, suffered massive head injuries and died almost instantly, a Bradford inquest heard yesterday.

The hearing was told how Mrs Shaw, widow of Martin Shaw, a director of Huddersfield soft drinks manufacturer Ben Shaws, was walking her dog and just didn’t see the bike.

Motorcyclist Adam Bramall, 18, had moved on to the other side of the road to go round Mrs Shaw but she stepped out and he couldn’t avoid the collision.

Mr Bramall, a plumber, of New Mill, was knocked unconscious and suffered a head injury.

He told the inquest he had no memory of the accident.

Assistant deputy coroner Prof Paul Marks recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Bramall was riding his almost new 125cc motorbike to work at around 11.15am on November 12 last year when the tragedy happened.

Giving evidence, Mr Bramall said he recalled going to a DIY store in Holmfirth in the morning but could remember nothing until waking up in hospital later.

The inquest was told how the narrow Moor Lane has no pavements and pedestrians had to walk in the road.

Motorist David Bullett, of Meltham, told how he saw Mrs Shaw in the middle of his side of the road and veered out to pass her.

“At one point I thought she was going to cross in front of me,” he said.

Mr Bullett told how he watched in horror through his rear view mirror as Mrs Shaw walked out in front of the bike.

“She did not see the motor-cyclist,” he said.

“They both went down and perspex splintered on the bike. I was shocked at what I saw and just wanted to get home.”

Mrs Karen Crosland, of Thongsbridge, was one of several passing drivers who stopped to help.

She told how she comforted Mr Bramall until emergency crews arrived.

She said Mr Bramall regained consciousness but was very confused.

Mrs Shaw was declared dead at the scene by a doctor.

Mr Bramall later gave a negative breath test at the hospital and was admitted for observations.

Police accident investigator Pc Mark Lingard said the speed limit on the road was 40mph and added: “The motorbike was travelling at no more than 40mph and probably less. The bike had only done 2,400 miles and was in virtually as new condition.”

No charges had been brought as a result of the accident.

Summing up, Prof Marks said it may never be known exactly what happened due to Mr Bramall’s post-traumatic amnesia.

He said Mrs Shaw was immediately rendered unconscious and did not suffer.

Mrs Shaw, a retired occupational therapist at St Luke’s Hospital in Crosland Moor, had two daughters, Lizzie and Alison, and six grandchildren.

She was a talented painter and potter who exhibited her work locally.

She became a carer for her husband, who developed multiple system atrophy and died aged 71 in 2003.