An amputee superbike rider died after he fell from his bike and was accidentally hit by a team-mate, an inquest heard today.

Eastern Daily Press: Mark Fincham on the track. Picture: SubmittedMark Fincham on the track. Picture: Submitted (Image: Archant)

Ex-marine Mark Fincham from King's Lynn, 37, was taking part in a race meeting when the accident occurred on August 6.

Western Hampshire coroner Grahame Short, sitting in Winchester, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

In his summing up, he said: 'Mark Fincham died at 12.40pm on August 6, 2017, whilst competing in a superbike British championship race at Thruxton circuit, near Andover.

'Mark Fincham lost control of his BMW 1000 motorcycle as he exited the Club Chicayne, as a result of which he was unseated and fell on the track, where he was then struck by another competition Suzuki motorcycle immediately following him and suffered further injuries.'

Eastern Daily Press: Hundreds of bikers following the funeral cortège of Mark Fincham on Wootton Road in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtHundreds of bikers following the funeral cortège of Mark Fincham on Wootton Road in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt

Paramedics rushed to try to help Mr Fincham but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jim Walker, who was riding the motorcycle behind Mr Fincham, said he could not have avoided him. A video of the crash was shown in court. Mr Fincham rode for True Heroes Racing - a team of ex-service personnel who have suffered severe injuries.

He had part of his left leg amputated in 2007 after a road accident. In 2014, he cheated death in a 120mph crash when the front brake of his machine failed on a hairpin bend at Donington Park, in Leicestershire.

Paying tribute after his death, Mr Fincham's family said: 'Our world has fallen apart as a family we are completely and utterly heart broken.

Eastern Daily Press: Bikers outside the church for the funeral of super bike rider Mark Fincham. Picture: Ian BurtBikers outside the church for the funeral of super bike rider Mark Fincham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

'We have lost a totally amazing son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and boyfriend who lived his life to the fullest no matter what it threw at him.

'Words cannot describe how deep our loss is. An inspiration to us all and to those who knew him, RIP our amazing Mark, you will be forever loved, missed and remembered. Ride high hero, keep rubber side down.'

Hundreds of bikers from as far afield as Derbyshire and Wales joined the cortege from Mr Fincham's home in South Wootton to a celebration of his life at the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in King's Lynn.

Sarah Hudson, who organised the escort, said: 'There were two sides to Mark, forces and bikes. They're both families. We just wanted to give him the send-off he deserves.'

Eastern Daily Press: The funeral of super bike rider Mark Fincham at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaywood. Picture: Ian BurtThe funeral of super bike rider Mark Fincham at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaywood. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: The funeral of super bike rider Mark Fincham. Picture: Ian BurtThe funeral of super bike rider Mark Fincham. Picture: Ian Burt