Driver describes horror bike crash

Aug 29 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A CAR driver recalled this week details of a horrific smash which left a Perthshire motorcyclist “impaled” on the front of his Renault Clio.

Robin Kennedy told Perth Sheriff Court that he was following a friend to Ballathie Farm, near Stanley.

As they both stopped and indicated to turn right, Mr Kennedy said: “I saw a flash of something and then there was a loud bang and the next thing I saw there was a motorcyclist and motorbike coming straight for me.”

The bang, he believed, was when the motorcyclist struck the car in front, being driven by Alistair Gibb, of Farm Steading Cottage, Upper Gothens, Meikleour.

The witness likened it to “almost like an explosion” and both rider and bike hit his Clio with such force it later had to be written off.

Mr Kennedy added: “I sat in the car for between 30 seconds and a minute. I didn't quite believe what had happened.

“I then got out of the car to see if anything could be done, but to be quite honest I wasn't in a fit state to do much.

“The people from the restaurant came out and contacted the police. They took a while to get there but arrived eventually. It was quite traumatic.”

He was giving evidence at the trial of Gibb, who is accused of causing the accident on the unclassified Kinclaven to Stanley road, adjacent to Ballathie Farm, on September 26 last year.

He has denied driving carelessly and turning across the road to enter Ballathie Farm.

He is then alleged to have caused his vehicle to collide with a motorcycle ridden by David Burns, of Stanley, which in turn collided with a car being driven by Mr Kennedy, of Monifieth.

All of the vehicles were damaged and Mr Burns seriously injured.

Mr Burns, whose injuries have not yet been detailed in court, was later taken from the scene by air ambulance.

James Miller (55), a van driver from Perth, had been driving behind Mr Kennedy.

He recalled: “The first I heard was an almighty bang. The 4x4 lurched sideways a little and I could see something flying into the air.

“I think it must have been part of the 4x4. The motorbike finished alongside my van.

“I went to look for the rider. He was impaled on the front of the blue car (the Clio). It looked as if he was stuck on the front of the car.”

Mr Miller saw neither the first impact, or the motorcyclist approaching from the other direction.

The trial, being heard before Sheriff Robert McCreadie, was adjourned until September 29.