A FATHER-OF-ONE was tragically killed when he was knocked off his motorcycle into the path of an oncoming car.

Michael Armstrong, 25, was on a fly-over when he hit a family car that had swerved to avoid rear-ending a saloon.

After being knocked off by his bike, he was then hit by a car travelling in the opposite direction.

He died at the scene from his injuries in Gatwick Road, Crawley on May 3 2017.

An inquest at West Sussex coroner’s court heard, three cars were involved in the collision that led up to death of the young father of a four-year-old girl.

During heavy traffic around 8.15am, coming off the flyover Shehan Fernando in a Jaguar entered hatch markings to switch into the left lane, causing Rachel Rand in a Vauxhall Zafira to swerve.Immediately after the experienced biker Mr Armstrong on a Kawasaki motorbike went into the rear of the Vauxhall, knocking him off into the path of a Mercedes driven by David Williams driving up the flyover.

The crate maker, who lived in Hampden Close, Crawley, was treated at the scene by paramedics, but died from his head injuries.

Giving evidence Mr Fernando said: “I personally do not see how my manoeuvre caused her to swerve. I moved across traffic which was standstill. It was a very slow movement.”

But coroner Penelope Schofield said something with Mr Fernando’s driving must have given Mrs Rand a reason to swerve.

Ms Schofield said: “This appears to be a catalogue of actions that resulted in Mr Armstrong’s death. Had Mr Fernando not been on the crass hatchings, and subsequently the Vauxhall behind swerving and Mercedes coming in the opposite direction, Mr Armstrong’s death would not have occurred.”

She recorded Mr Armstrong’s death as a road traffic collision.

Addressing his father Ian Armstrong she added: “This inquest isn’t to apportion blame, that matter can be addressed in other courts.

“I offer my sincere condolences to your wife and rest of the family in these tragic circumstances.”

The father-of-one left behind young daughter Scarlett. A JustGiving page set up after his funeral raised £3,355 to be used for his daughter’s future.

His family said at the time of his death: “Michael was the loving father of a daughter aged four, as well as a son and brother to three siblings.We will remember him as generous, kind and willing to help out anybody. He had a large circle of friends as evidenced by the outpouring of comments and tributes on Facebook. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”