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

**davereid** · 2nd December 2007, 09:03

Just in - two bikers are being airlifted to hospital after a police car did a U turn in front of them. Police car was doing a u-turn to chase another biker.

Hope the outcome is not to serious for the bikers.

Edit - oops.. already posted by nasty...

**Blue Thunder** · 2nd December 2007, 09:54

Heard on the radio this morning that another biker was knocked off their ride!
This time it would appear that a Police Officer

while doing a U turn to pursue an alleged speeding bike, had a bike hit him.
Both riders are reported as being in serious condition.

No report to who was at fault!

Hope the two in hospital recover soon!

**JimO** · 2nd December 2007, 11:17

i would say motorist doing u turn is at fault

**Unit:Me** · 2nd December 2007, 11:21

I heard this on the radio too it happened in the Buller George, top South Island. Needless to say Im appalled to hear of such an incident by so called highly trained professionals (the cop doing the u-turn). This should just not happen. Thoughts to the riders and their speedy recovery

**Pixie** · 2nd December 2007, 11:25

Originally Posted by Unit

I heard this on the radio too it happened in the Buller George, top South Island. Needless to say Im appalled to hear of such an incident by so called highly trained professionals (the cop doing the u-turn). This should just not happen. Thoughts to the riders and their speedy recovery

You're having a laugh, aren't you?

**RC1** · 2nd December 2007, 11:30

never nice to hear , hope for a speedy recovery by those involved

**crashe** · 2nd December 2007, 12:20

This police comms email came in Saturday evening.....

Originally Posted by police comms

NZ Police CommCens Alert 14:45 1-12-2007 Tasman

Location of incident: Buller Gorge

Incident Type: Serious crash

Emergency services were called to the scene of a vehicle crash in the Upper Buller Gorge. The crash was between a police patrol car and 2 motorcyclist's riding on one bike.
The Two motorcyclists required medical treatment. One was flown to Nelson Hospital by helicoptor and another was taken to Murchison by road ambulance.

The road is still closed and detours are in place.
Police Serious crash unit is in attendance and will ascertain the causes of this crash.
Nelson police will make any further media releases
Issued By: Inspector Stuart Leighton

**McDuck** · 2nd December 2007, 12:21

Originally Posted by skelstar

Why on earth would I want to unless I had a cause?

Then why on earth are you here?

I said that because all the times i have been pulled over the cop has gotten real real close to my back, to within a few meters. If a cop was to tap a bike into a ditch or power pole it could easily do major damage.

Oh and i was wrong, oh well.

**Blue Thunder** · 2nd December 2007, 12:38

try this. Todays NZ Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...ectid=10479616

**McDuck** · 2nd December 2007, 14:32

I wounder how fast the bike was going?

**oldrider** · 2nd December 2007, 14:46

Originally Posted by Mcduck5n

I wounder how fast the bike was going?

Obviously too fast to stop in half the clear distance ahead of him, unless the police car cut recklessly in front of him!

These are the questions that will need to be answered.

Truthfully!

I hope everyone is OK.

John.

**Daffyd** · 2nd December 2007, 15:00

"Yesterday afternoon two men travelling on a motorbike slammed into a U-turning police patrol car in the Upper Buller Gorge. They are both in hospital seriously injured, one of them in a critical condition."

I copied this from a news item on my home page, 'NZ City'. As soon as I saw it I sent off an email expressing my disgust at the bias of the report. I suggested that the item should have read, "Police car U-turns into path of motorcycle carrying two passengers".
I am waiting for a reply.

**dipshit** · 2nd December 2007, 17:20

Originally Posted by oldrider

Obviously too fast to stop in half the clear distance ahead of him, unless the police car cut recklessly in front of him!

It is being able to stop in the total distance of visible road ahead.
Half the distance if you are on a narrow single lane road.

Just seen the news and it was on a large fastish corner lined with trees. The cop said there were no other vehicles visible when he started to pull out onto the road.

One of the bikes was a late model Ducati.

**MSTRS:Me** · 2nd December 2007, 17:30

Originally Posted by dipshit

Just seen the news and it was on a large fastish corner lined with trees. The cop said there were no other vehicles visible when he started to pull out onto the road.

One of the bikes was a late model Ducati.

If anyone other than a cop did a u-turn there, they would be automatically done for careless causing injury. Yes, it was a long sweeping tree-lined corner, but the location shouldn't make any difference. The onus is on the turning vehicle to ensure the way is clear. And it was two sprotbikes that hit the car, not a single with pillion.
'Police are considering charges' says OneNews...I wonder who will 'get it'?

**Grahameeboy** · 2nd December 2007, 17:37

Originally Posted by dipshit

It is being able to stop in the total distance of visible road ahead.
Half the distance if you are on a narrow single lane road.

Just seen the news and it was on a large fastish corner lined with trees. The cop said there were no other vehicles visible when he started to pull out onto the road.

One of the bikes was a late model Ducati.

Hate u-turns....one of the most hazardous maneovres in my book. So easy to miss somthing......if it is done in the wrong place a vehicle is a some point blocking the one side of carriageway giving limited evasive choices.

Sounds like this was on a bend so bloody iffy......all well saying stop in half distance you can see etc but then I guess you would not expect a vehicle doing a u-turn on a bend.........I know you are suppose to expect the unexpected, however, if the cop did do a u-turn on a bend then who is the more culpable...............I mean when you do a manouevre like that there is an onus on you to expect something to appear etc etc.......