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Mark Hinchliffe·
NewsMotorbike news
··8 Comments·2 min read

Riders die in Mt Nebo plunge and van crash

Riders on Mt Glorious pass over white lines synday ride restrictions
(File image of riders on M Nebo)

(File image of riders on Mt Nebo)

A 61-year-old male rider has died in a plunge off Mt Nebo, Brisbane, yesterday morning (16 March 2020) and a rider has died in Victoria this morning in a crash with a van.

Queensland Police says their preliminary investigations indicate the rider “lost control” near Jolly’s Lookout on Mount Nebo Road about 11.30am.

The rider and his bike then fell down a steep embankment.

The Closeburn man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Forensic Crash Unit investigators are appealing for any witnesses or anyone who may have 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: QP2000539964

Lost controlQueensland Police Cops covert

Once again we take issue with the police use of the term “lost control”.

The unfortunate term suggests blame on the rider.

That is not necessarily the case.

He could have crashed due to a road hazard, stray animal or another road user.

Mt Nebo Rd is a popular Brisbane road with riders as well as cyclists and tourists.

Police should wait until crash investigations are complete in respect to the rider’s loved ones.

They don’t beed to use the term at all. Simply state that the rider crashed.

See also

Otherwise, it could give the possibly incorrect impression to other road users that motorcyclists have a death wish.

Victorian crash

Victorian Police say a male riders has died after a food delivery van turned across his path in Hastings about 4am today (17 March 2020).

They say the van was turning on to Hodgins Road from the Michelle Drive side street when the collision occurred.

The 21-year-old male driver of the van was arrested at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Our sincere condolences to the riders’ families and friends.

 

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Mark Hinchliffe
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8 Comments

  1. what’s the issue with “lost control”? Are you suggesting he rode off the cliff on purpose?

    1. Hi Rion,
      There is the impression among some that “lost control” means they were speeding or not a competent rider.
      Why use the term at all?
      It is up to investigators or the coroner to suggest what happened.
      Cheers,
      Mark

    2. I agree Ron, however there tends to be the ‘assumption’ with motorcyclists that they were riding faster than their ability or speed limit. Sad loss of a 61 yo rider, my condolences to family & friends.

    3. The issue I see is the false inference of assuming that was his fault/doing, and no room for the possibility of being pushed/hit/avoid obstacle. As Motorbike Writer says, the speculation is not healthy.

    1. Definitely a possibility. Just like some time back when a truck pulled out in front of my husband on his motorcyle at the base of Mt Glorious. He was left unconscious with multiple injuries. The truck driver returned to the scene three hours later and phoned police to report that he’d noticed “flattened grass”. I arrived on the scene to find him being airlifted into the chopper. He was lucky to be alive. Interestingly the police told me he was involved in a “single vehicle accident”. It was only that we did our own investigations afterwards that we were told by a witness the truck driver had pulled out right in front of him. When a police officer phoned me up to check on my husband’s state, I told him what I knew to be the truth. Months later, the truck driver admitted this to his insurance company.

  3. Mark, I know exactly the section of road.

    Thoroughly enjoyable, like the rest of Gap – Nebo logging track road.

    But how, oh how, do we explain to riders they must approach their limits from below?

    :-((((

    John C.

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