THE inquest into the death of a motorcyclist who died while on holiday has been opened.

Patrick Cousens, 55, died on September 21, 2019, after he was involved in a crash in Spain.

Mr Cousens, who was from Bradwell, had been travelling around Ribera with eight friends when the tragedy happened.

Essex Coroners Court was told Mr Cousens hit an embankment while out on a ride and was thrown from his bike.

He was said to be an experienced motorcyclist but had been travelling on a new bike at the time.

During Tuesday's hearing, coroner's officer Marianne Robson told the court Mr Cousens was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination was carried out at Colchester Hospital in October last year and found causes of death to be head injuries and a subarachnoid haemorrhage - a bleed on the brain.

Mr Cousens' body has since been released to his family.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray opened and adjourned the hearing.

A full inquest will take place on January 4, 2021.