A Keswick man and much-loved gentle giant died following a motorbike accident which is thought to have been as a result of a diabetic episode.

John Bryden, 53, suffered fatal injuries after crashing into a tree at the side of the A66 near Stainton on May 16, 2018.

At an inquest in Cockermouth, area coroner Kirsty Gomersal said: "John's death was due to a road traffic collision due to a hypoglycemic episode which it was likely he was suffering."

Mr Bryden, of Brigham Row, was the youngest of 10 children. He was diagnosed with diabetes aged five and dependent on insulin.

One of his seven sisters, Joan Clark, described him as "a gentle giant".

"He was a big family man and loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a very happy man and loved to help people out," she said.

He went to Keswick School. "While at school he loved working with his hands, he's been a fabricator all his working life," she said.

At the time of his death he was working for Norwest Engineering. He had bought a motorbike the previous month to commute to work, he had owned one years before.

Brother Michael said John was a big part of his family. "He was a nice lad, full of fun and kind-hearted," he said.

"If you had a party you could hear him! He did not have a bad bone in his body."

The inquest hear that Mr Bryden's diabetic condition seemed to be sporadic, he could go for weeks without an attack then they could appear in clusters.

While working at Norwest an ambulance had to be called on two occasions when he suffered an attack.

"He did struggle to manage diabetes at times," said Mrs Gomersal.

He could not always tell when an episode was coming on although his family could recognise the symptoms, she said.

"John was very lucky to have a family such as he did and neighbours," she said.

He crashed his Yamaha bike while heading home from work.The road was dry, visibility was good and no other vehicles were involved, the inquest heard.

Witnesses said that, shortly before the accident, the motorbike had braked and been seen weaving from side to side before the driver appeared to regain control and continue driving within the speed limit.

Mr Bryden then left the carriageway and crashed into a tree on the verge, suffering fatal injuries.

A post mortem revealed he suffered a haemothorax, ruptured aorta and chest injury.

The inquest heard that there was no evidence that Mr Bryden had taken any emergency action after leaving the carriageway and heading over grass to the trees. There were no sources of distraction and evidence revealed one of his feet was off the pedal.

"All the evidence points to John having left the carriageway due to the onset of a hypoglycemic episode or being in the process of one," said Mrs Gomersal.

A toxicology report would not reveal this, the inquest heard.

Mr Bryden said: "On behalf of his family, I would like to thank all the people that assisted John - the medical crew and the general public. We really appreciate this."