Bikers collide with Police car in Buller Gorge (1 December)

[mickeyboy]

STUFF TODAY (When his tumbling body finally came to a stop, Russell checked himself before taking off his helmet and gloves, not noticing the end of his right thumb was missing.
"The police officer came over and asked me if I was OK, and I asked him what the hell he was doing parked in the middle of the road," said Russell.
"His response to me was that we were speeding."
Russell had not had an apology from the police, who took a statement from him on Saturday when he was in intensive care.
A self-employed builder-electrician without income insurance, Russell would like to discuss financial compensation with the police to help support his family over the next six months while he recovered.)

How ? Why ? who he was chasing etc etc is irrelevant. The issue is the cop blocked the road on a corner and was hit by 2 following vehicles that happened to be motorcycles, could have been a sheep truck, campervan or family sedan. Here's a test go and park a car across that same piece where the cop was hit and see how long it takes before another vehicle plows into the side of it, I would guess by looking at the photo of the scene on Stuff.co.nz it would be carnage in a very short time. The police officer was wrong , full stop. The road is twisty and narrow and enjoyable on a bike, the bike riders have done the trip 14 times , they deserved to be able to travel from Wellington and enjoy their trip with mates and not have to factor in that some glorified commision salesman in pursuit of his next sale would put their lives at risk in pursuit of issuing another invoice to some unsuspecting punter. It's ironic that in the so called pursuit of "road safety" the authorities by their actions have done exactly the opposite. Nice the officer or his superiors have called into see or phoned the riders and wish them well in their recovery, not a thing ! The officer is on sick leave ? what for ? The riders are are the ones sick !!!!!!!!! Very sick indeed , lucky not be dead !!!!!!!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

PROBABLY bad driving by the cop I suspect.

But hey, let's just say that anyway, why wait for the full story.....

Theres a full story... you are kidding right... nah but its much more fun speculating and making up theories and playing CSI and ...

[breakaway]

"His response to me was that we were speeding."

What a fucking tool.

[Marmoot]

Bollocks

Bollocks

and More Bollocks

Already you've made your mind up on part of the story and mentioned a shitload of semi truths/ myths. - fuckin hope I NEVER see YOU in a jury.

Nice frkn troll.

Strange to see you posting with such vigor instead of your calmer usual tone. Is that the defend-the-corpse instinct?

And, regarding the 1st "bollocks", one of my relatives recently got charged for careless driving as the police made up their mind very shortly following an incident where a vehicle banged onto his car as he pulled out of a street, and the letter said that it is the normal policy to charge careless driving in any accident involving injuries. Meanwhile, in this situation it is already been made clear no decision will be made for at least two weeks (implying a much slower process and a PROBABILITY that no charges will be laid despite injuries involved). Different law for one and the other?

The 2nd "Bollocks" talked about one law for everyone. You say this is bollocks?

The 3rd "Bollocks" talked about the responsibility for law enforcers (a.k.a. Police) to be better than their subject at following the law IF not AT LEAST follow the law. You say this is bollocks too?

You know what Mr. Scumdog? Actually i am starting to agree with you here...



Tell me, where are the myths in what I said, apart from my assumption that the Police would have to at least follow the law too?


P.S.

fuckin hope I NEVER see YOU in a jury.

Is that a threat, Mr. Scumdog? If so, is this a reflection of the attitude of NZ Police?

[Ixion]

PROBABLY bad driving by the cop I suspect.

But hey, let's just say that anyway, why wait for the full story.....

Why do you think the "full story" will ever be revealed? Assuming that there IS any story beyond what is already quite clear .

The smash is being investigated by the local police (whose position is already encapsulated by the response of Sgt Bridgman "You were speeding"): the Serious Crash Unit , more police, who are scarely likely to come to any conclusion that puts their mates and collegues in the pooh : and the Police Whitewash Authority. No need to say more about that last one, more police investigating police.

A cop stuffed up. It happens, to cops as well as other mortals.FWIW, I personally don't think the cop should be pinged any harder than any other driver who made such a stuff up. But, no less either. And that is what is rankling with people, the fact that there is already every sign of yet another cover up and blame shifting exercise.

[98tls]

PROBABLY bad driving by the cop I suspect.

But hey, let's just say that anyway, why wait for the full story.....

Xactly......when the powers that be arrest someone with as they see it dubious evidence the tree huggers come out calling fair play yada yada but as soon as a cop looks like he may have made a fuckup its hang him on the spot.

[Marmoot]

A cop stuffed up. It happens, to cops as well as other mortals.FWIW, I personally don't think the cop should be pinged any harder than any other driver who made such a stuff up. But, no less either. And that is what is rankling with people, the fact that there is already every sign of yet another cover up and blame shifting exercise.

exactly my point. Thank's Mr. Ixion.

No more, BUT no less!

[Mom]

The driver of the car that executed a three point turn, in a place where it may or may not have been safe to do so, made an error of judgement causing serious injuries to 2 other road users.

That investigations need to be done is sensible and proper, no doubt, the driver will face charges if found to be at fault, or will he?

If that driver had been me, and not a police officer, I have no doubt that by now I would be facing some quite serious driving charges, that I could either accept, or defend in court.

Hope this wraps up soon, the longer it hangs around the more balanced minds will tilt to bagging the cops for protecting their own and showing 2 rules apply depending on what you do for a living.

[Paul in NZ]

The road is twisty and narrow and enjoyable on a bike, the bike riders have done the trip 14 times , they deserved to be able to travel from Wellington and enjoy their trip with mates and not have to factor in that some glorified commision salesman in pursuit of his next sale would put their lives at risk in pursuit of issuing another invoice to some unsuspecting punter. It's ironic that in the so called pursuit of "road safety" the authorities by their actions have done exactly the opposite. Nice the officer or his superiors have called into see or phoned the riders and wish them well in their recovery, not a thing ! The officer is on sick leave ? what for ? The riders are are the ones sick !!!!!!!!! Very sick indeed , lucky not be dead !!!!!!!

jeepers calm down

police accident are investigated differently because they are the police and it needs to be carefully and properly done as they do have different rights and obligations when on duty.

yeah - he was across the road, he did a stupid thing- but - the road is through the bush - it could have been a dead tree or a landslide, a 1000 things and they could have been going too fast - we don't know - let the court sort it out, it's what they do... If you want to do something - help these guys out by setting up a fund or something.

If you want to burn someone go burn the tourists the KILLED 4 bikers with their piece of shit campervan

[jimbo600]

Bollocks

Bollocks

and More Bollocks

Already you've made your mind up on part of the story and mentioned a shitload of semi truths/ myths. - fuckin hope I NEVER see YOU in a jury.

Nice frkn troll.

I'd have to +1 on Scummy here. If anything cops are subject to more scrutiny than the rest of us joe public. They certainly do not look after their own. Operation insight anyone?

[Scouse]

Hi MD
I hope all goes well for you I am particularly respectfull of the way you took yourself to the Police that gives me the feeling that you are a man of great integrety and also someone who's freinds mean a whole lot to you, fantastic.

[Daffyd]

If you want to burn someone go burn the tourists the KILLED 4 bikers with their piece of shit campervan

TV1 News tonight said that, "An Austrian Tourist has been charged with, 'Careless use of a motor vehicle causing death'.

[Paul in NZ]

TV1 News tonight said that, "An Austrian Tourist has been charged with, 'Careless use of a motor vehicle causing death'.

Exactly - 4 people killed and only just charged.....

[scumdog]

Exactly - 4 people killed and only just charged.....

Yeah well ya see thats 4 less people to interview - but those who ranted about the other crash (Marmoot?) want the cop charged before all involved have been interviewed......

OH, and Marnoot, you weren't the only one to think like that, not picking on you alone....
And the 'jury' comment? - it was with regard to forming a conclusion without waiting to find out all the available facts - it was NOT a threat.

[Marmoot]

... it was with regard to forming a conclusion without waiting to find out all the available facts ...

makes me wonder how can a crash where 4 people died can get the facts found out faster than a crash where everyone in there lives.

Is it "waiting to find out all the available facts" or "waiting for the facts to be filtered as usual" when it involves the government apparatus?

Is it easier to get the facts out of non-police than from police? If so, would that mean 'different treatments'?

So much for 'everyone is equal in the eyes of law'...