A MOTORCYCLIST died after he fell from his bike and slid into the path of a bus being driven by a learner bus driver.

The man, in his mid 20s, died instantly in the accident, outside the driving test centre in Marston Road, Oxford, at about 11.45am yesterday.

Witnesses said he fell from his motorcycle and slid across the road into the path of the single decker bus.

The road was wet and it was raining heavily at the time.

The Oxford Bus Company was quick to defend the learner driver, who was under instruction from a qualified instructor.

Company spokesman Jonathan Radley said the bus had been specially adapted for teaching and had a dual braking system to allow the instructor to take control in an emergency.

He said: "The bus was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The motorcyclist clearly lost control and slid across the road into the bus.

"Both the driver and instructor used the brakes, but could not stop in time. Obviously, the driver and instructor are somewhat shocked and shaken."

The bus was going towards Oxford and the motorcyclist away from the city when the accident happened.

Marston Road was closed between the junctions with Headington Hill and Ferry Road for three hours after the crash.

Police were investigating the cause of the accident.

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