Horrific crash - Bike taxi operator killed in three-cycle collision

One biker taxi operator is dead and another is now battling for life in hospital following a horrifying three-motorcycle collision along the Salmon Point main road, in Westmoreland on Sunday

The deceased biker has been identified as 28-year-old Michael Earl, of Little Bay district, also in Westmoreland.

The injured man, who was not identified by the police, reportedly suffered significant injuries.

According to reports, about 5:30 p.m., Earl and another bike taxi operator were driving two separate motorcycles along the Salmon Point main road when Earl's motorcycle got out of control and crashed into another motorcycle coming from the opposite direction.

The motorcyclist who was riding behind Earl, then crashed into them.

"It was quite a terrible scene and it is just luck that all three riders were not killed," a witness to the accident told the WESTERN STAR.

The police, who were early on the scene, rushed Earl and the other seriously wounded cyclist to the Savanna-la-Mar hospital, where Earl was pronounced dead and the other man admitted in serious but stable condition. The third cyclist only suffered minor injuries.

While noting that Westmoreland is currently seeing a reduction in motorcycle crashes this year over the comparative period last year, Sergeant Andy Birch, the senior officer at the Area One Accident Reconstruction Unit, said he is concerned about the reckless manner in which some motorcyclists continues to use the road.

"Westmoreland is now seeing a reduction in road fatalities, but the challenge out there is still grave, especially in dealing with motorcycle drivers, who are operating as robot taxis," said Birch. "Since the start of the year, we have had a number of cases where bike taxi operators have been killed in crashes."

Based on statistics provided by Birch, 37 persons have lost their lives in 30 separate traffic accidents in Westmoreland.

Over the comparative period last year, 43 persons were killed in 39 traffic accident.