Watch the horrific moment biker is catapulted into the air in head-on crash
14 January 2020, 08:52
This is the shocking moment a biker is catapulted into the air in a head-on crash by a driver on the wrong side of the road doing 70mph.
Police from South Yorkshire have released the footage which left a motorcyclist with life-changing injuries.
On 28 April last year, the 35-year-old biker was riding along Mortimer Road, Sheffield when he was hit by a driver travelling 70mph on the wrong side of the road.
The horrifying footage first shows the car travelling around a blind left-hand bend. Due to the driver’s excessive speed, it veers on to the wrong side of the road.
As the Subaru driver fails to regain control, the video shows the motorcyclist brake, before the two collide head-on. The motorcyclist is then catapulted through the air.
Police said the experienced biker suffered a broken back, a broken sternum and a broken wrist in the crash. His Suzuki K7 sports bike was completely destroyed on impact.
The victim, from Barnsley, has since credited the protective gear he was wearing at the time with saving his life. Roads policing constable, PC Phil Carson explains: “In an ideal world, everyone would drive with care 100% of the time, but sadly this isn’t the case.
“The offending driver had no previous driving points or convictions, but on this occasion he demonstrated an exceptional lack of judgement. Thankfully, the motorcyclist was wearing a full leather, airbag suit which activated and inflated as he was propelled off his bike. Without it, in a collision at this speed, he would most likely have died.”
PC Carson added: “Please make sure that you’re wearing the right kit, it might be expensive but without it, your life could be at risk.”
The 41-year-old driver of the Subaru, Florian Pratt, was jailed for 16 months at Sheffield Crown Court.
Pratt, of Kilnwood Close, Nottingham admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was also handed a three year driving ban.
