A NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol officer has been injured in a “single-vehicle crash” on the Central Coast about 4.15pm today (Sunday 17 November 2019).
Police say the male officer was riding an unmarked motorcycle on Berkeley Road, Berkeley Vale, when he “lost control” and crashed into a guardrail.
“He came off his bike and landed down an embankment,” the police say.
Emergency services were called and came to his aid.
He was treated at the scene for two broken legs and was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
At this stage it is unknown if the officer was responding to an incident.
Police from Tuggerah Lakes Police District are calling for any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with dash-cam vision to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Michael “Magic” Parr faced a charge of not obeying the direction of police for this incident caught on video, but the charges were dropped in April, 2019.
Exonerated
When told that the officer, Senior Constable Andrew Murphy dubbed “Raptor 13”, was placed on restricted duties earlier this year, Magic said it was “good news”.
“The guy is psycho and that should have been obvious to the hierarchy a long time ago,” he says.
At the time, Murphy was part of NSW Police Strike Force Raptor established after the infamous 2009 “bikie” brawl at Sydney Airport.
The charity ride video is not the only one to have surrounded Murphy in controversy.
Type “Raptor 13” into a YouTube search and you will see a selection of videos, including:
Harassing mourners at the funeral of bikie boss Mahmoud “Mick” Hawi last year;
Holding a metal pole to a man’s head during a traffic stop;
Failing to supply his name during a traffic stop; and
Making “rude and disrespectful” comments to a 24-year-old female P-plater and her stepmother after failing to indicate at a roundabout.
In the latter incident, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission found Murphy and another officer engaged in “serious misconduct” by racially abusing the two Afghan Muslim women.
While both officers were found to be “unfit for purpose as a police officer”, Murphy was also found to be “presently unfit” to deal with the public.
However, News Ltd reports that Murphy has been on “appropriate restricted duties” since earlier this year.
We asked a police psychologist who determines the fitness of officers for duty what that meant.
They said it usually meant the officer was assigned to desk or other duties with limited or no public contact.
While it is not a demotion in rank, it usually means they work 9-5 and lose lucrative shift penalties.
Senior Constable Andrew Murphy aka “Raptor 13”
Charity ride incident
Magic had faced a charge of not obeying the direction of police for the incident at Woodenbong on 3 March 2018 when police roadblocked the 26th annual Good as Gold ride.
The hearing was scheduled for April 2019 in Kyogle Local Court, but police prosecution contacted Magic a couple of days before to say they would not proceed. No reasons were given.
Rather than feeling exonerated, Magic said he was disappointed with the result as he had been looking forward to his day in court.
He also made a formal complaint to police of alleged unlawful assault when the officer shoved him.
However, NSW Police Force Professional Standards Unit rejected the complaint, saying the officer’s shove was a “single approved check drill in accordance with his training”.
Her Toyota Aurion turned right from a driveway on to King Street, Randwick, and hit the motorcycle heading east.
Corrections order
Dzikunu had faced up to a $2200 fine and/or imprisonment for up to nine months for a first-time offence.
The NSW community corrections order (CCO) is a new penalty that last year replaced the previous community service order. It is considered more serious.
Judges are also able to impose conditions that are tailored to the offender to ensure they don’t reoffend by targeting the offending behaviour, such as drug or alcohol addiction, or mental health issues.
NSW Courts would not reveal the conditions imposed by the Waverely Local Court judge.
Driveway crashes
This is yet another incident of a crash where a vehicle is turning into or coming out of a driveway.
In the same month, a 51-year-old man died when his motorcycle was hit by a 4WD attempting to turn into a driveway in Parkinson, south of Brisbane.
Most accidents happen close to home.
It seems motorists switch off as they get near home, or don’t switch on until they have driven away from home.
Riders should always be switched on.
They should be especially aware when riding in the suburbs or in the country past driveways.
A particularly deadly driveway scenario can occur on country roads where a vehicle slows without indicating.
The following rider assumes the driver is pulling over, so they overtake just as the driver decides to turn across their path into their driveway.
It’s been a tragic month for riders in NSW and Queensland where 11 people have died as warmer weather has more venturing out on the road.
In the past two days, two riders have died on NSW roads.
The latest fatality involves a motorcyclist and a school bus colliding in South Nowra about 6.45am today (Tuesday 29 October 2019).
The young male rider died in the crash at the intersection of Flinders Road and Bellevue Street.
As is the usual practice, police have taken the uninjured bus driver to hospital for mandatory testing.
There were no passengers on the bus.
A cause has not yet been revealed and a brief will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Statistical spike
Spring rider
Let’s hope it is the end of the carnage for October which has seen the usual spike in motorcycle crashes as more riders hit the roads for spring.
While Queensland riders are out year-round, some NSW riders hibernate their bikes over winter and come out in spring for leisure and commuting.
Over the past month there have been seven riders killed on NSW roads and four in Queensland.
We can probably expect a knee-jerk reaction from politicians and police in response, but it is mainly a seasonal situation.
Motorcycle deaths in NSW up to the end of September were slightly up on last year, but down over the past four years.
In Queensland, rider deaths were down a substantial 16.6% by the end of September.
Thankfully, there were no known rider deaths in Victoria this month. However, a tragic start to the year has Victorian rider deaths up about 28% over the previous year and the five-year average.
A Kia Rio has ploughed head-on into a group of four motorcyclists in Kyogle, northern NSW, killing one and injuring three riders yesterday (20 October 2019).
Police say the latest accident happened about 1.45pm on a hill crest opposite the Cemetery on the south side of town. (Image above courtesy NBN News.)
Emergency services attended the crash on Summerland Way, near Runnymede Road, following reports a Kia Rio travelling north and four motorcycles travelling south collided.
One of the motorcycle riders, believed to be a 55-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and died at the scene.
Another rider, a 56-year-old man, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital before being airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The other two riders, aged 52 and 53, suffered serious injuries and were taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.
The driver and sole-occupant of the vehicle, a 52-year-old man, was trapped for a short time before being released and taken to Lismore Hospital for treatment and mandatory testing.
Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by the Far North Coast Crash Investigations Unit.
Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner. No charges have yet been laid.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of all riders killed and our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for all those injured in these crashes.
Group crashes
North American group riding crash (Image: Associated Press)
Riders are vulnerable road users, but when they are riding in a group they present a bigger target and the results can be carnage.
We have reported on several group crashes in recent months in Australia.
It was a tragic day on NSW roads yesterday for motorcycle riders with one dead and two injured in two separate incidents.
Tragic crash
A male rider, 45, has died in a motorcycle crash on a gravel road in the far west of NSW about 3.30pm yesterday (Saturday 19 October 2019).
Police say emergency services were called to the Wilcannia-East Road, 10 kilometres outside Menindee, “following reports a motorcycle rider had been ejected from his bike”.
The rider died at the scene despite efforts to revive him.
Officers from Broken Hill Police Station established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Rider and pillion injured
A 59-year-old man was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after coming off his motorbike in the state’s Northern Region yesterday.
Emergency services were called to Limpinwood Road, Tyalgum, shortly before midday (Saturday 19 October 2019), following reports a motorcycle had crashed into a tree.
“On arrival officers found a 59-year-old rider suffering critical injuries,” police say.
“He was stabilised at the scene before being airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital suffering critical head injuries.”
He remains in a serious condition.
His female pillion passenger, aged 57, suffered shoulder and ankle injuries and was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for further treatment.
Inquiries are continuing by officers from Tweed/Byron Police District.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Our condolences to the riders’ family and friends and our best wishes for the injured rider and passenger for a full and speedy recovery.
A male rider in his 50s has died after a car and his motorcycle collided on Waterfall Way, south-west of Coffs Harbour yesterday (Friday 18 October 2019).
Police say the motorcycle was heading east on Waterfall Way when it collided with a car coming in the opposite direction shortly after 4pm about 13km west of Bellingen.
The rider, who is yet to be formally identified but believed to from Coffs Harbour, died at the scene.
Three people travelling in the car were taken to the Coffs Harbour Health Campus with minor injuries.
The driver, a 31-year-old woman from Armidale, has undergone mandatory blood and urine testing.
Waterfall Way was closed in both directions for four hours, re-opening at 8pm.
All images from NSW Transport Why We Ride video
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Our condolences to the rider’s family and friends and our best wishes for the injured passengers for a full and speedy recopvery.
No charges have been laid.
Waterfall Way
Waterfall Way is one of many “motorcycling roads” featured in the NSW Transport video series Roads We Ride.
It is one of the most popular roads in the region for motorcyclists.
Waterfall Way is both scenic and winding. However, it is also narrow, challenging and dangerous.
Sydney woman Perpetual Dzikunu, 29, has been found guilty of negligent driving after a collision with a motorcycle in Sydney on 1 September 2019.
The 63-year-old male rider suffered a severely injured foot.
Dzikunu appeared in Waverely Local Court on Wednesday (16 October 2019) where she was granted continuing conditional bail.
She will return to court on November 12 for sentencing.
Negligent penalty
The driver could face a $2,200 fine and/or imprisonment for up to nine months if it is a first-time offence.
NSW Police say that about 3pm on September 1 a Toyota Aurion was turning right from a driveway on to King Street, Randwick, when it collided with the motorcycle heading east.
The rider was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital.
Dzikunu stopped after the crash and spoke with police.
About 7.50pm the following day Dzikunu attended Maroubra Police Station where she was charged with negligent driving.
Driveway crashes
This is yet another incident of a crash where a vehicle is turning into or coming out of a driveway.
Earlier this month a 51-year-old man died when his motorcycle was hit by a 4WD attempting to turn into a driveway in Parkinson, south of Brisbane.
Most accidents happen close to home.
It seems motorists switch off as they get near home, or don’t switch on until they have driven away from home.
Riders should always be switched on.
They should be especially aware when riding in the suburbs or in the country past driveways.
A particularly deadly driveway scenario can occur on country roads where a vehicle slows without indicating.
The following rider assumes the driver is pulling over, so they overtake just as the driver decides to turn across their path into their driveway.
Yesterday, a 57-year-old man riding a Suzuki died in a crash with a Ford Ranger utility on Kularoo Drive, Forster.
The rider died at the scene.
The ute driver, also 57, was taken to Manning Base Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Manning-Great Lakes Police District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
No charges have yet been laid.
And early this morning, a 35-year-old man riding a Kawasaki was seriously injured in Fairfield East, Sydney.
Police say that about 12.30am (Saturday 28 September 2019), the rider “lost control and hit a fence” on Woodville Road.
The rider sustained a serious leg injury and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.
Officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command with assistance by officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to come forward.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestop.
Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the riders and our best wishes to those injured for a full and speedy recovery.
After such a tragic week, we hope riders will be more aware and take extra precautions.
Next month is Motorcycle Awareness Month in NSW with a media campaign to make drivers more aware of riders on the roads.
The body of a 42-year-old man has been found up to 12 hours after he went missing on a country road in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane yesterday.
Queensland Police say the rider died “following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash” on Lowood Minden Road at Coolana.
“Preliminary information indicates the motorcycle was travelling south along Lowood Minden Road sometime between 8.15pm and 10pm (September 23) when it left the road and crashed,” Police say.
TheRegency Downs man’s body was found beside his motorcycle about 10.45am yesterday by a member of the public.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the cause of the crash.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24 hours a day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Quote this reference number: QP1901862518
Scooter rider dies after collision with ute
Meanwhile, a 19-year-old P-plate driver from Kellyville has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death after a crash with a 41-year-old man on scooter in Sydney.
The collision between a Toyota Hilux ute and the scooter occurred in the back streets of Five Dock about 8.45pm, Tuesday (24 September 2019).
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Spencer Street and William Street following reports that a car and motorised scooter collided.
The rider was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics. He died a short time later.
Officers attached to Burwood Police Area Command attended and established a crime scene that will be examined by the Metro Crash Investigation Unit.
The male driver of the Hilux was arrested and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
He was later charged and will appear in court today.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
