A much-loved dad-of-four killed in a motorbike crash "lived life to the fullest", says his heartbroken widow.

Mark McGowan 38, died when his Yamaha motorbike crashed into the side of a Lexus on the A257 Roman Road, just outside of Wingham, on March 4.

An inquest held at Oakwood House, Maidstone, heard how the Sandwich-based dad had been on his way to work at Wingham Wildlife Park - where he was a head chef - at the time of the tragedy.

The Lexus had been travelling in the same direction as Mr McGowan, who was spotted by multiple witnesses overtaking traffic in the moments before his death.

DC Kayleigh Archer, the investigating officer, told the court: "As the Lexus driver approached a premises from the direction of Shatterling, she slowed and activated her right indicator to turn into the driveway.

"At this time, Mr McGowan moved wholly into the opposing carriageway to overtake vehicles behind the Lexus.

"As the Lexus driver commenced her turn, Mr McGowan applied heavy braking, lost control of the motorcycle and was thrown from the vehicle.

"He subsequently collided with the front offside of the Lexus as it entered the driveway."

A fire station manager told police he had been overtaken by a motorcyclist in a high-visibility jacket shortly before coming across the wreckage and stopping to carry out CPR until ambulances arrived.

Other witnesses also described seeing the bike travelling at speed and then sliding across the road seconds later.

Coroner Patricia Harding said police investigators found no defects with either vehicle or the road surface, and confirmed that neither driver had been using a mobile phone.

CCTV footage showed the car was indicating to turn and that the motorcycle was travelling faster than the surrounding traffic.

Officers suggested the car driver not seeing the bike was due to motion camouflage, where an approaching object appears stationary against the background until it is very close.

In any case, it was found the manoeuvre had been lawful, and the driver was not under the influence of any substance.

DC Archer added: "The collision occurred as a result of the Yamaha motorcycle overtaking a number of vehicles in the opposing carriageway."

He lived life to the fullest, and as a bike enthusiast, he died doing what he loved...

Summarising the case, the coroner said: "Sadly, on March 4, 2025, Mark McGowan was involved in a road traffic collision when he was riding his motorbike to work and overtook a number of vehicles using the opposing lane on the Roman Road in Shatterling.

"There was a vehicle, a Lexus, which was turning right into a premises on that road, and Mr McGowan took braking action but was unable to come to a stop in time.

"He lost control of his vehicle and departed from the motorbike, and the two slid into the vicinity of that vehicle, causing injury from which he died.

"The medical cause of death is multiple injuries from the post-mortem, and those injuries were caused as a result of a road traffic collision.

"It only remains for me to say how very sorry I am for the family's loss."

Speaking after his inquest, his widow Katherine McGowan said: "Mark was a devoted husband, and a proud dad of four.

"He lived life to the fullest, and as a bike enthusiast, he died doing what he loved."