A motorcyclist died after hitting a cow which bolted on to a road while being herded into a field, an inquest was told.

Andrew Myers, from Brighouse, was flung off his bike and suffered serious head injuries in the accident in Halifax.

The weather and road conditions were good at the time of the accident, but there was nothing the student could do to avoid hitting the cow, which had been startled, Halifax Coroner's Court heard.

Coroner Roger Whittaker said cattle were being moved into a field at the time.

"Unfortunately one became startled and crossed into the path of the cycle," he said. "There was no opportunity for the motorcyclist to take necessary action or reduce the impact."

Mr Myers, of Victoria Avenue, was taken to Calderdale Royal Infirmary where he was examined by Dr Prem Hamal and declared dead.

Road traffic officers examined the road and motorcycle, but no defects were found.

The fencing was subsequently checked and found to be in order.

The owner of the cattle, Clive Lumb, was interviewed and the inquest heard no prosecution is likely.

An eyewitness, Simon Rhodes, a chef at the nearby Branch pub, said he saw 37-year-old Mr Myers travelling along the road.

"I saw that something had happened," he said. "The speed was normal. Something dark appeared in the road and then I saw the driver in the road.

"I was slowing down and then I stopped. there were other people gathering around. It looked as if the driver had collided with a cow. The cow was still alive but seemed to have difficulty breathing.

"The driver was lying in the road and I saw that a lot of people were trying to help. I realised then that my car was causing an obstruction so I went to move it."

PC John Green, an accident investigator with British Transport Police, who examined the road and motorcycle said there was nothing wrong with them.

Mr Whittaker recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "I am satisfied that Mr Myers was driving normally. Unexpectedly he came across cows on the road, one of which he struck causing him to come off the motorbike. He sustained fatal injuries."