Three riders have been injured in getaways from police and a crime scene in the past week on the Gold Coast.
A rider who evaded Gold Coast Police about 7pm yesterday (29 November 2019) was later injured in a crash with a car at Broadbeach Waters.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Rio Vista and Hooker Boulevards, where the motorcycle and a car had collided.
The rider was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital with serious, non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the car was not physically injured.
Police say it was a “traffic intercept” but the rider allegedly failed to stop.
“Police did not follow,” they say.
The man remains in hospital and has yet not been charged.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per 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 24hrs per day.
Quote this reference number: QP1902374337
Stolen bike
It follows an incident earlier in the week where two men were hospitalised in serious conditions after trying to flee on a stolen motorcycle after an alleged break-in attempt in Kingsholme.
Police believe they were attempting to break into a home on Upper Ormeau Road around 6pm, when they were caught by neighbours.
One of the neighbours reportedly was hit in the face with a bag wielded by one of the mean and another suffered a broken nose in the scuffle.
The two alleged offenders fled the scene on a motorbike but crashed a little way down the road.
They’ve were taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in serious but stable conditions.
A 26-year-old Logan Central man and a 33-year-old Logan Central man were charged with assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, armed robbery and burglary.
An as-yet unidentified male rider has died in a motorcycle crash at Tallandoon, Victoria, this morning (29 November 2019).
Victoria Police and emergency services were called to the heavily wooded Lockharts Gap Road (above) after reports a motorcycle had veered down an embankment about 9.45am.
The male rider, who is yet formally unidentified, died at the scene.
Investigations continue into the cause of the crash.
Lockharts Gap Road remains closed between the Omeo Highway and Sandy Creek.
Victorian Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage to contact Wodonga Highway Patrol or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.
Death toll
Victoria Solo Unit motorcycle police
The tragic death brings the Victorian motorcycle death toll so far this year to 42, which is six more than last year and well above the five-year average of 34.
That’s an increase of 14% over the previous year, while driver deaths are up 12%.
However, cyclist deaths are up 80%, followed by passengers 45% and pedestrians 42%.
All up, Victoria’s road toll is 241 so far this year which is 24% up on the same time last year and 5.7% above the five-year average of 228.
Clearly the current road policing strategy is not working and there is a need to try new initiatives, not just target motorcyclists.
Eastern Region Road Policing Inspector Stephen Cooper said at the time that this year has been “particularly challenging” on Victorian roads, with a “lot of the trauma taking place in country Victoria”.
“At the beginning of the year we saw a lot of fatalities and serious injuries involving motorcyclists,” Insp Cooper said.
“With the warmer weather encouraging riders to get back on their motorcycles, we want everyone to know that police will be out enforcing against those who engage in risky behaviour.”
Riders travelling through regional NSW this weekend not only need to be on the lookout for bushfires and road closures, but also police.
NSW Police have launched Operation Chrome which they say will be “focusing on reducing rural road trauma this weekend”.
Operation Chrome is being conducted in the Northern, Southern and Western regions tomorrow (Friday 29 November 2019) and Saturday (30 November 2019).
Here is the full police press release:
The operation will utilise police from all districts within each region, working alongside officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command to provide a coordinated effort to reducing rural road trauma.
Police will be targeting poor driving behaviours on rural roads – including speeding, drink and drug-driving, not wearing seatbelts, using a mobile phone behind the wheel and fatigue.
Drivers and riders should expect to see more police on rural roads and highways over the weekend.
Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell APM, said reducing rural road trauma is a top priority for the regional NSW.
“So far in 2019, 234 people have lost their lives on regional roads – that’s 19 more than this time last year.
“Operation Chrome is designed to not only target the main highways, but the back roads and suburban streets. Expect to see us in numbers this weekend. It won’t just be officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol that will be tasked with keeping everyone safe on our roads.
“If you are on the road and doing something wrong, you will be stopped by police in an unmarked car, general duties police, or one of our highway patrol officers.
“Our main aim is to stop fatal crashes before they happen. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. It’s that simple,” Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said.
Now don’t say you haven’t been given a decent warning!
A 35-year-old Nerang motorcyclist has died after colliding with a car on the Pacific Motorway at Gaven on the Gold Coast yesterday afternoon. (27 November 2019)
Police say the accident happened about 3.15pm when the man was riding southbound in heavy traffic on the Pacific Motorway.
Transport and Main Roads image at 3.25pm shows traffic backed up by the crash
His motorcycle collided with a car just past the Pacific Motorway Smith Street Exit 66 on-ramp about 3.10pm.
The rider was thrown into the path of another car.
Despite desperate attempts by paramedics, the rider could not be saved and died at the scene.
A woman in her 20s escaped with minor injuries and was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.
Police Forensic Crash Unit officers are appealing for anyone with information or dash cam footage to contact police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per 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 24hrs per day.
Quote this reference number: QP1902357156
Our sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends.
Justice seems to move slowly, especially when it involves drivers charged over a crash with a motorcycle or scooter rider.
In the past week, three drivers have faced NSW courts over crashes with riders stretching back almost four months, yet there are no results so far.
While some may be sceptical that the courts are dragging out these matters and will not deliver justice for the dead and injured riders, it is not uncommon that the legal system moves slowly.
Prosecutors have to develop a water-tight case to ensure that the matter is not thrown out on a technicality. This can take time.
Courts are also overloaded and it can be difficult to fit in a matter that could take days to resolve.
We can’t comment on matters that are before the courts, but we can keep you updated with how the matters are progressing to ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to be done.
Slow justice
These matters are among a raft of others we have been following. Here is the latest on these.
Fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm;
Fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury;
Drive when visiting privileges withdrawn – first offence; and
Not give particulars to injured person.
He has appeared twice in the past week for mentions and a bail variation as well as a change of venue for his next appearance from Blacktown Local Court to Parramatta on December 18.
Case 3
P-plate driver Matthew Giusa, 19, of Kellyville, will next appear in court on 20 January 2020.
Riders are being asked to protest today against the state’s anti-bikie “fashion law” that prohibits the wearing of “colours” associated with outlawed “bikie” clubs.
This is despite the Liberal State government saying they would never follow Queensland’s Draconian VLAD laws.
In the first weekend of the new laws, 20 to 30 riders were stopped at a road block by a dozen uniformed police with several police vehicles and plain clothes cops. All up, some 70 police.
The result? Police confiscated three knives.
“Bikie” law protest
Rebel Club members
A protest against the new laws is planned for Parliament House in Hobart from noon on Monday, 25 November 2019.
Former Australian Motorcycle Council chairman Shaun Lennard says he is “surprised to see this happen in Tasmania”.
He says he received a “direct personal assurance from Will Hodgman as Opposition Leader in 2013” that the Liberals in Tasmania would not follow (then Queensland Premier) Campbell Newman’s “failed path” if they won government.
The following Queensland Labor Government slightly watered down the laws, but there is still a “fashion police” rule that bans “bikie colours” in public because they “create fear”.
It is similar to the new Tassie rules.
Tassie cops
Tasmania Police say they will be enforcing the laws banning the wearing of insignia of five “outlaw motorcycle gangs”: Rebels, Bandidos, Outlaws, Devils Henchmen and the Black Uhlans.
This comes as interstate clubs rode into the state over the weekend.
“These are criminal gangs and their colours are designed to show affiliation with this criminality and intimidate others. The new laws don’t affect any other motorcycle clubs,” police media says.
“Our community can be assured there’ll be a strong police presence actively monitoring the activities of outlaw motorcycle gang members while they’re here.
“This will include vehicle checks, targeted drug and alcohol testing, monitoring for anti-social and criminal behaviour and traffic operations.
“Tasmania Police has rostered on a significant number of additional officers to assist with this operation and will be supported by a contingent of officers from interstate.”
They include the Mt Lindesay Highway, (photo at top of page), Cunningham Highway, Summerland Way and Pacific Highway between Woodburn and Woombah.
Police are asking all motorists to “delay all non-essential travel” in these areas.
The option is a rather lengthy ride, although that may not be a negative for riders!
For example, if you need to travel between Grafton and Ballina, you will have to add about 3.5 hours to your trip and use the Gwydir, New England and Bruxner highways.
If you want to know how dangerous it is riding in a bushfire, watch this Queensland Police video of brave officers alerting residents.
Bushfire survival guide:
Avoid bushfires!
The best survival tip for a bushfire is to avoid it.
Also check the automobile clubs’ websites for the relevant state, as well as transport department traffic sites or apps such as the NSW Live Traffic App.
Try searching the Facebook pages of local fire and police pages.
Of course, you can use your eyes to see where the smoke is and use your commonsense to gauge wind direction and potential fire direction.
However, don’t think you can outrun a bushfire. They can spread faster than any motorcycle can go, often jumping roadways, reducing your chance of survival.
Follow directions
It is not only stupid, but also unlawful to disobey a police or emergency services direction.
If you are told not to go down a road or there is a roadblock, you must not got that way.
The same goes for flood situations.
Don’t start a bushfire
Take notice of total fire ban signs and warnings as you don’t want to start a bushfire.
Fines are hefty and police have been severe in punishing offenders. Don’t expect a good-natured warning!
Riders should also be aware they can accidentally start a fire by parking their bike on dry grass or leaves.
Firefighters say about 40% of all bushfires are accidentally started by humans dropping cigarette butts, campfires, discarding bottles, sparks from machinery and motorcycles.
The catalytic convertor, which is often underneath, is the hottest part of your bike and can easily spark a fire.
Adventure riders who travel off road should take special care.
Caught in a bushfire
If you are caught in a bushfire, your phone (or EPIRB, beacon, etc) will be your best friend.
Work out where you are exactly and then contact police and emergency services to give them your location.
Park your bike behind a solid structure to block as much heat as you can.
Turn off your bike’s engine, but leave the lights and/or hazard lights on.
Stay near your bike, but not too close in case it goes up in flames.
Try to get down low, near a water source or below the level of the fire as they move faster uphill.
Also try to get upwind from a fire.
Dangers of bushfires
Riders are more vulnerable than motorists in cars because they have no air conditioning to regulate air and temperature.
The biggest dangers for riders are from smoke inhalation, low visibility and eye irritation from smoke.
Carry water with you to flush out sore eyes and to ensure you stay hydrated.
Tips to avoid dehydration in a heatwave:
Don’t drink too much alcohol the night before a ride. It has a diuretic effect which means it causes you to urinate more water than you take in which means you are losing fluid. And you can’t counteract that by drinking lots of water because most of it will go out in your urine. Obviously, don’t drink alcohol while you are riding!
Start drinking water as soon as you wake and keep sipping water right up until you get on your bike. It takes about half an hour for water to reach your muscles. Guzzling water just before a ride is not good as it can make your stomach to cramp. The Royal Flying Doctor Service which has attended dehydrated riders in the Outback, recommends carrying 10 litres of water per day! Read their Outback riding tips here.
Wear ventilated motorcycle clothing. Leathers may protect you better in a crash, but they create a “microclimate” which impairs your ability to lose heat. As a result you will produce more sweat to decrease your core temp. Instead, wear a flow-through jacket. There are heaps of options on the market. Make sure they have vents in the back so the air flows through. Also, loosen the sleeves so you get plenty of air on your wrists which have a lot of blood vessels close to the skin to effectively cool you down. However, be aware that a flow-through jacket cools you down because it is drying the sweat off your skin which can lead to dehydration. A set of Ventz up your sleeve will also keep you cool as air flows up your arms.However, don’t be fooled by your level of coolness as ventilation can also cause you to loose more water through evaporation. So you still need to keep drinking plenty of water.
Don’t be tempted to remove your jacket in the heat! Exposed skin may feel cooler, but that’s because the sweat is evaporating quicker, but that is just making you more dehydrated. And while your skin feels cool, you’ll be tricked into staying in the sun longer which leads to sunburn. That also leads to dehydration because your body needs water to repair and renew damaged skin.
Get a Camelbak or other brand of water-dispensing unit so you can continue to take small sips of water while you are riding. I’ve seen riders on GoldWings and other big tourers with cup holders so they can take slurps from a water bottle. That’s obviously not as safe as the hands-free Camelback option, but anything is better than nothing. Some people don’t like Camelbaks because the water gets hot, but the temperature of the water doesn’t affect dehydration.
Stop more often than usual and hang out in the shade or in an air-conditioned cafe. Since you are drinking lots of fluids, you will probably need to stop anyway!
While you’re stopped, have a coffee, but take it easy. No need to swear off your favourite caramel latte, but avoid excess coffee. That also goes for caffeinated drinks such as Red Bull. High levels of caffeine have a diuretic effect just like alcohol.
While having a coffee break, avoid having too many sweet cakes, donuts and muffins. Sugar can dehydrate you if it gets to very high levels in your blood. This can happen if you are a diabetic, take certain medications or have an infection or some organ diseases. Sugar causes your kidneys to produce more urine to eliminate the sugar, leading to dehydration. Likewise, don’t drink too many sugary drinks. Best to stick to plain water, real fruit juices with no added sugar or drinks such as Gatorade that replace salts and minerals lost in sweat.
We’ve talked a lot about urine and it’s important that you monitor the colour. It should be a straw colour. If it’s too dark, you are dehydrated.
Sweat also depletes your body of sodium and if it becomes too low, it can cause many of the same symptoms as dehydration. The average diet probably has enough sodium, but it’s good to have a little bit of salt on your meals or drink sports drinks that have a sodium supplement. However, beware of sports drinks with caffeine and sugar.
A Brit appeared in court via video link today on multiple charges involving a fatal crash with two motorcycles on 2 September 2019.
Tweed Heads Local Court heard that Graham Stephen Belcher, 52, was arrested at Brisbane International Airport at 2am the next morning as he was about to board a flight to thew UK via Hong Kong.
NSW Police allege the unlicensed driver in a rental car did not give way to two motorcycles at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Tweed Valley Way in Tumbulgum near Tweed Heads, about 3.20pm on 2 September.
Scott Rose, wife Tenniel and his children Lacey and Nash
Scott Rose, 39, died at the scene and his riding partner, Barry Nolan, was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital with minor injuries. He later released from hospital.
Brit charged
Belcher failed to stop and his Hyundai rental car was later found abandoned at Terranora.
The Brit was extradited from Queensland to NSW on an outstanding warrant and was also charged with:
dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous;
fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death;
negligent driving (occasioning death);
cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle;
drive while licence cancelled;
not give way to vehicle (give way sign/line); and
driver fails/refuses to disclose his identity.
Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody until today.
The matter has now been listed for 18 December and he was again remanded in custody.
Family fundraiser
Scott Rose, wife Tenniel and his children Lacey and Nash fundraiser
The fundraiser page was started by brother-in-law, Codie Holliday, to raise money to support Scott’s wife Tenniel and his children Lacey, 9, and Nash, 6.
“As the sole income provider for his family, Scott’s tragic death is impacting his family in so many awful ways, including financially,” Codie says on the fundraiser page.
Scott was a maintenance technician at Movie World and Sea World.
Codie says Scott “loved riding bikes, fixing them, his kids both have bikes and I’m fairly sure the garage has a number of ongoing bike ‘projects’ always”.
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.
