65-year-old biker dies in crash on the A350 (From Thisisdorset)
When news happens send us your pictures, video and views. Text BE to 80360 or contact us by email
65-year-old biker dies in crash on the A350
7:20am Monday 25th February 2013 in Latest By Katie Clark
Motorcyclist killed in collision
AN ‘EXPERIENCED’ Bournemouth motorcyclist has died after a two-vehicle crash in North Dorset.
The fatal incident took place on the A350 near Blandford St Mary at 1.45pm on Friday lunchtime.
The 65-year-old man, who has still not been named, was initially treated at the scene following the collision involving a car on the busy single carriageway between Charlton Marshall and Blandford St Mary.
But despite being airlifted to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, the motorcyclist, who was riding a black Kawasaki motorcycle, was pronounced dead on arrival.
His next of kin have been informed.
Yesterday afternoon, a bouquet was laid at the scene.
A message, ‘Rest In Peace Derek, you will be missed by all’, accompanied the flowers.
The man, who has not yet been formally identified, was believed to be a skilled motorcyclist with more than 45 years’ experience of riding motorcycles.
A tribute posted on the Daily Echo website said he was a ‘capable, steady and highly experienced rider’ who had experience riding ‘all types of bikes in all sorts of weather and road conditions’.
The post from ‘John Hee’ said: “He is well known on the bike scene both locally and across the UK. His friendship will be missed by many. Condolences to his family.”
He also said the 65-year-old understood the risks involved with riding motorcycles and ‘like many of his friends, chose to ride because of what it meant to him’.
Although details of this incident have yet to be revealed, residents who live near to the A350 said generally the road is known for being a fast stretch of carriageway.
Laura Mackenzie, 20, who lives just metres from the crash site, said the incident had already taken place when she arrived home around 3.30pm on Friday.
“My dad saw the paramedics resuscitating the man on the side of the road. That must have been about 2.30pm,” she said.
“Then the air ambulance arrived and took him to hospital.
“There weren’t any police officers at the start of the road cordon when I got back.
“My mum rang me and told me about it but because the accident had happened beyond our house I was allowed to come through.
“It was closed until around 9pm. I know because the police parked their vehicles in the driveway.
“We knew it was bad from the amount of time they had been here.”
She added: “It’s a really fast road. My family have lived here for six or seven years now and we said it was a matter of time before a serious accident happened.
“It’s sad for the man’s family.”
Tracey Hopkins, who lives in Charlton Marshall, agreed the speeds on the road appeared to surpass the speed limit of 40mph.
“We live by the 30mph sign just past the garage at Charlton Marshall and it is amazing the speed people go on bikes and in cars. They come so fast around the corner. It’s awful to hear someone has died, absolutely terrible.”
A 22-year-old Wimborne man, who was behind the wheel of a black Peugeot 207 involved in the accident, was arrested and released on police bail until the beginning of April.
The road was closed for several hours on Friday to allow forensic investigators to examine the scene.
Black plastic debris remained at the side of the road with sand indicating the site of the collision.
Witnesses are asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 with any information quoting incident number 22-227.
Comments(21)
Cherry19
says...
9:47am Sat 23 Feb 13
mary gathard
says...
9:58am Sat 23 Feb 13
Old Harry
says...
10:01am Sat 23 Feb 13
Cherry19 wrote:And, without prejudice, bikers please accept that you are vulnerable. Do not deliberately ride into dangerous situations.
Thoughts are with the biker who lost his life and with his family who will have to live with this terrible news ... whilst I appreciate we don't know all the facts, again we see a motorcyclist killed in an accident which involves a car ... please, please, please with the summer approaching look out for bikes and cyclists.
Old Harry
says...
10:28am Sat 23 Feb 13
UZZY
says...
11:07am Sat 23 Feb 13
Old Harry wrote:Bikers are very vulnerable car drivers please look out for them & those who do (& theres loads) stop using mobile phones whilst driving .
Cherry19 wrote:And, without prejudice, bikers please accept that you are vulnerable. Do not deliberately ride into dangerous situations.
Thoughts are with the biker who lost his life and with his family who will have to live with this terrible news ... whilst I appreciate we don't know all the facts, again we see a motorcyclist killed in an accident which involves a car ... please, please, please with the summer approaching look out for bikes and cyclists.
winton50
says...
11:18am Sat 23 Feb 13
Old Harry wrote:As a Biker I can tell you that no on deliberately puts themselves into a dangerous situation. Some people just don't think and some situations just develop.
Cherry19 wrote:And, without prejudice, bikers please accept that you are vulnerable. Do not deliberately ride into dangerous situations.
Thoughts are with the biker who lost his life and with his family who will have to live with this terrible news ... whilst I appreciate we don't know all the facts, again we see a motorcyclist killed in an accident which involves a car ... please, please, please with the summer approaching look out for bikes and cyclists.
paulthefish
says...
12:03pm Sat 23 Feb 13
mary gathard wrote:i have had this happen on this road too. these idiots who tailgate have no concern for safety of others. i normally slow right down and let them go past if they can. if it is busy and they cannot get past most of them take the hint and back off.
this road is 40 miles an hour i live near there and there are people that drive like idiots on bikes and in cars they just dont want to waiti have had people tailgate me to try and make me go faster or overtake on the corners absolute idiots .i feel so sorry for the familys he must be a grandad how do u tell the family. and.the emergency services have.to pick up the pieces
djd
says...
12:19pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Gordon Clifton
says...
1:54pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Gordon Clifton
says...
2:02pm Sat 23 Feb 13
fossilmole
says...
8:02pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Cherry19 wrote:On this A350 I had an unpleasent incident with a motorbike just over a week ago.
Thoughts are with the biker who lost his life and with his family who will have to live with this terrible news ... whilst I appreciate we don't know all the facts, again we see a motorcyclist killed in an accident which involves a car ... please, please, please with the summer approaching look out for bikes and cyclists.
As I was stopped at the road junction of the road from Lytchett Matravers with the A350 I looked to my right and saw two car headlights a fair distance away.
However, as I pulled out, I suddenly realised there was a motorcyclist, riding without any lights, and his bike was 'lost' in the middle of the dark spot between the two headlights of the car behind him.
It was only pure luck and quick application of accelerator that prevented a collision.
john hee
says...
8:24pm Sat 23 Feb 13
He is well known on the bike scene both locally and across the UK.
His friendship will be missed by many.
Condolences to his family.
As for the various pro\anti comments. This was an accident and is under investigation.
But regrettably such things do happen. In a Motorcycle V Car collision the motorcyclist is usually going to come off worse.
He always understood this risk, and, like many of his friends, chose to ride because of what it meant to him.
RIP D.
Hessenford
says...
9:09pm Sat 23 Feb 13
These stories of unfortunate accidents which result in a death should not have commenting enabled because it turns into an argument between motorcyclists and car driver plus the normal speculators come out with the same old drivel.
My sympathy's to the family of this poor man and I hope he can rest in peace.
GeorgeCW
says...
6:02pm Sun 24 Feb 13
Condolences for the family and friends.
We do not know the circumstances to this accident so let’s not point fingers until the truth is known.
No call, text or email is so important it can’t wait. And if it really can’t, pull over safely first. No appointment is so important you can’t be 5 minutes late, set your alarm 5 minutes earlier. Let us all make sure we are more careful and considerate and imagine it is our loved one in the other car/bike/cycle. If we do get “cut up”, let it go.
I am a driver and a biker and no liberal tree hugger, just fed up of needlessly losing loved ones.
Old Harry
says...
9:12am Mon 25 Feb 13
GeorgeCW wrote:Monday morning and once again it has happened! Why are people in such a rush these days that they leave courtesy, common sense and safety behind?
R.I.P.
Condolences for the family and friends.
We do not know the circumstances to this accident so let’s not point fingers until the truth is known.
No call, text or email is so important it can’t wait. And if it really can’t, pull over safely first. No appointment is so important you can’t be 5 minutes late, set your alarm 5 minutes earlier. Let us all make sure we are more careful and considerate and imagine it is our loved one in the other car/bike/cycle. If we do get “cut up”, let it go.
I am a driver and a biker and no liberal tree hugger, just fed up of needlessly losing loved ones.
john hee
says...
12:07pm Mon 25 Feb 13
http://www.thisisdor
set.co.uk/www.thisis
dorset.co.uk/Man-arr
ested-motorcyclist-d
ies-following-A350/s
tory-18248001-detail
/story.html
...and thanks Echo for updating the story
Molecatcher
says...
1:14pm Mon 25 Feb 13
GeorgeCW wrote:Well said.
R.I.P. Condolences for the family and friends. We do not know the circumstances to this accident so let’s not point fingers until the truth is known. No call, text or email is so important it can’t wait. And if it really can’t, pull over safely first. No appointment is so important you can’t be 5 minutes late, set your alarm 5 minutes earlier. Let us all make sure we are more careful and considerate and imagine it is our loved one in the other car/bike/cycle. If we do get “cut up”, let it go. I am a driver and a biker and no liberal tree hugger, just fed up of needlessly losing loved ones.
Marionbeck
says...
1:15pm Mon 25 Feb 13
R.I.P.
britbilly
says...
4:51pm Wed 27 Feb 13
The50Dude
says...
6:40pm Wed 27 Feb 13
I have recieved an e-mail from a friend of his in the States, saying how saddened he was by the news, and to pass on his condolences to the family, as we all do.
I am saddened greatly by our loss, but am pleased to have been able to call Derek brother or friend
Regards
TD Rebel MCC
Bournemouth2014 says...
9:13am Sat 23 Feb 13